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BELLS AT EVENING 

AND OTHER VERSES 

BY ^ 

Frances J. Crosby 

fi 

WITH 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

BY 

ROBERT LOWRY, D.D, 



SECOND EDITION-ENLARGED 



THE BIGLOW & MAIN COMPANY 

New York and Chicago 

i8q8 



T5 3//f 

208?8 1^1^ 



Copyright, 1897, by 
THE BIGLOW & MAIN COMPANY. 



Copyright, 1898, by 
THE BIGLOW & MAIN COMPANY. 



:i?C!aonES;n:: 




DEDICATED 

TO 

ALL WHO SING MY HYMN8. 



Thanks are due to Mr. John R. Sweney for per- 
mission to use hymns on pages 174, 176, and 180 ; to 
Mr. Wm. J. Kirkpatrick for those on pages 178, 179, 
and 183 ; to Mrs. Jos. F. Knapp for hymn on page 146 ; 
also to The Biglow & Main Company for permission 
to use all the other hymns and poems in this little 
volume. 

F. J. C. 



Note. — The reprinting, in any form, of the poems and 
hymns contained herein, without the written permission of the 
owners of the copyright first having been obtained,is a violation 
of the Copyright law. 

4 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, 



Frances Jane Crosby, the daughter of 
John and Mercy Crosby, was born in South 
East, Putnam County, New York, March 24, 
1820. Her home was in a Httle valley, through 
which ran a branch of the Croton River. The 
murmur of the flowing water was the music of 
her earliest childhood. Her fancy reveled in the 
silvery tones that rose incessantly from the hum- 
ble brook. They spoke to her in a language 
which she could understand, and she learned to 
translate them into her own vernacular. The 
dancing measures of the little stream still linger 
sweetly in her memory. 

When she was only six weeks old an affection 
of the eyes demanded medical treatment. Either 
from lack of accurate diagnosis, or from the opera- 
tion of causes beyond the reach of ordinary skill, 
the remedies applied failed to accomplish the de- 
sired end, and her sense of sight entirely disap- 
peared. Happily for her peace of mind, this loss 
of vision came upon her at so early an age that 
she was relieved of those violent and painful con- 
trasts which would have been her lot if this mis- 



6 BELLS AT EVENING. 

fortune had overtaken her in later years. Indeed 
so utterly foreign to her is our world of sight, she 
does not feel the loss of what practically never 
was in her possession. A calamity which would 
be regarded by us as beyond all compensation 
she looks upon as one of the commonplaces of 
her normal condition. It is pathetic to hear her 
gentle but earnest protest when tender sympathies 
are expended upon her by honestly commiserating 
friends ; but we cannot but admire the beautiful 
contentment with which she accepts her place in 
life, and even expresses a preference for what to 
us would be only an unmitigated misfortune. 
Her childhood was a period of unalloyed delight. 
Her happy temperament threw sunshine over all 
her surroundings. She discovered in time that 
there was a sight-world in which she had no part, 
but no knowledge of that deprivation could affect 
the elasticity of her spirits. As if to give notice 
to all persons that they need not waste any con- 
dolements on her, she wrote, at the age of eight 
years, the following statement of the situation as 
she viewed it : 

*' O what a happy soul am I ! 

Although I cannot see, 
I am resolved that in this world 
, Contented I will be ; 

I How many blessings I enjoy 

/ That other people don't ! 

To weep and sigh because I'm blind, 
I cannot, and I won't." 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 7 

The poetry in this childish effusion may not be of 
the highest order, but the philosophy it contains 
is worthy of general adoption. 

When she was about nine years old she was 
taken by her parents to Ridgefield, Conn., where 
the family remained four years. After the death 
of her father her opportunities for mental im- 
provement were in a degree interrupted. This 
would have been a serious thing to her but for 
the one happy event which turned and fixed the 
course of her life. At the age of fifteen years she 
entered the New York Institution for the Blind. 
Here she remained as a pupil for twelve years. 
In 1847 she became a teacher, in which position 
she continued till 1858. She taught English 
Grammar, Rhetoric, and Roman and American 
History. This was the developing period in her 
life. The darkness that was upon the face of the 
deep gave place to the form and symmetry of in- 
tellectual expansion. Her vivid imagination, 
which had been running for years with but little 
restraint, came under the control of her broaden- 
ing intellect. Language, which, under the cir- 
cumstances of her life, had been necessarily lim- 
ited, came to her aid with a steadily increasing 
vocabulary. The poetic faculty, which from early 
childhood had been struggling within her for ex- 
pression, found food and stimulus along all these 
lines of intellectual development. Memory, al- 
ways intensified and strengthened in the absence 



8 BELLS AT EVENING. 

of external helps, became her ready and obedient 
servitor. The schoolboy may forget the lesson 
on the printed page, but the blind man retains it. 
The man with clear vision may lose the face of a 
friend in the distractions of the outside v^orld, but 
the blind man never mistakes the tone of a voice. 
The expert organist, with his fingers on the key- 
board or his pen marking the paper, may be 
puzzled to know the correct outlet for a discord, 
but the blind musician, almost by intuition, will 
see the difficulty and give the true progression. 
The Bible, studded with golden texts, became a 
never-failing treasury to this blind girl passing 
up into womanhood. So tenacious is her mem- 
ory that in her early years she committed the 
first four books of the Old Testament, and also 
the four Gospels. Her hymns abound with 
phrases of Scripture which readily adapt them- 
selves to rhythmic expression. Her mind is 
stored with much that she has learned from 
various authors. Once in possession of a thought 
of value, she assimilates it, reproduces it, makes 
it her own by putting on it the stamp of her in- 
dividuality. The versatility of her genius is re- 
markable. Driven sometimes by a stress of work 
there will slip from her a striking epithet or 
phrase which she has used before ; but, tak- 
ing into view the many hymns which she has 
written, besides songs and miscellaneous poems, 
the wonder is that she expresses herself in such 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 9 

manifold variety. Her mind is a storehouse of 
things new and old, and her verse is constructed 
from the abundant words and phrases which seem 
to fall almost of their own accord into their appro- 
priate places. 

During her pupilage in the Institution for the 
Blind her teachers did not fail to notice the poetic 
quality of her mind, and the growing aptitude for 
putting words together in metrical form and ta- 
pering them off with rhymes. So prominently 
did this gift assert itself, the managers were led 
to utilize it for the benefit of the Institution. In 
August, 1842, a tour was made through western 
New York, in which a number of the pupils 
made exhibition of the kind of work done in the 
schoolroom. At all these meetings Miss Crosby 
was put forward as conspicuously illustrating the 
value of education to the bhnd. A poetic ad- 
dress delivered at one of these meetings contains 
the following stanza : 

"Contented, happy, though a sightless band, 
Dear friends, this evening we before you stand ; 
We for a moment your attention claim. 
And trust that boon will not be asked in vain." 

In May, 1843, the Institution for the Blind held 
its anniversary in the Broadway Tabernacle, New 
York. The occasion, always interesting, was 
made doubly so by the recitation of an original 
poem^ of which the following is an extract : 



10 BELLS AT EVENING. 

" The smile that decks the human face, 

The brilliant eye, the joyous brow, 
Are beauties we may never trace ; 

A rayless midnight shrouds us now. 
But why, O why the falling tear? 

Why heaves the sad, unbidden sigh ? 
The lamp of knowledge, bright and clear. 

Pours luster on our mental eye." 

On June 22, 1843, the Senate of the State of 
New York visited the Institution in a body. Here 
again our blind girl was brought to the front, and 
addressed the high dignitaries in a poem, of which 
the following is a specimen : 

" Yon glorious orb that gilds the azure skies 
Sheds not a ray to cheer these sightless eyes ; 
The dewy lawn, mild nature's sylvan bowers — 
To trace these lovely scenes must ne'er be ours ; 
But education's pure refulgent light 
Illumes our souls, dispels our mental night ; 
Joy on each brow a smiling garland weaves ; 
Here, too, her magic strain soft music breathes." 

In the same year another tour was made 
through central New York, and, as usual, Miss 
Crosby was the chief performer with an original 
poem. 

In November, 1843, Count Bertrand was re- 
ceived as an honored guest, and Miss Crosby 
was selected to address him in poetic form. 
She subsequently wrote a touching poem on 
hearing of the Count's death. 

On January 24, 1844, seventeen pupils were 
taken to Washington to give a practical demon- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 1 1 

stration, before the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, of the good results attending a sys- 
tematic instruction of the blind. In this august 
presence, stirred by eloquent speeches and regaled 
with sweet singing, our gifted poet poured her 
heart out in words that held all hearers captive. 
From a poem of thirteen stanzas we select the 
following : 

"What though these orbs in rayless darkness roll ? 
Instruction pours its radiance o'er the soul ; 
And fancy pictures to the mental eye 
The glittering hosts that 'lume the midnight sky. 
O ye who here from every State convene, 
Illustrious band ! may we not hope the scene 
You now behold will prove to every mind 
Instruction hath a ray to cheer the blind." 

In the same year a company of twenty pupils 
gave an exhibition of like character at Trenton, 
N. J., before the Governor and Legislature. The 
occasion was one of intense interest, not the least 
feature of which was an original poem delivered 
by her who had become so important a factor in 
making the public familiar with the working of 
the Institution to which she belonged. 

While Miss Crosby was teaching she came in 
contact with many distinguished men. An item 
of interest which she takes pleasure in recalling 
is the fact that, during a part of that time, Grover 
Cleveland was attached to the office of the Institu- 
tion. Her recollections of Mr. Cleveland are of 
the most pleasant character, his bearing toward 



12 BELLS AT EVENING. 

her being such as to impress her mind with a 
sense of his courtesy and kindness. Among the 
men whom she met were President Van Buren, 
President Tyler, Governor William H. Seward, 
General Winfield Scott, and Henry Clay. Con- 
cerning Henry Clay, she tells the story that dur- 
ing his last visit to New York he came to the 
Institution, and she was appointed to give him 
welcome in a poem. Six months before he had 
lost a son in the Mexican war, and she had sent 
him some verses. In her address she carefully 
avoided any allusion to his sorrow. When she 
had finished her poem of welcome he came up 
to her and said, with tears in his eyes : " This is 
not the first poem for which I am indebted to 
this lady. Six months ago she sent me some 
lines on the death of my dear son." Both of 
them were overcome for the moment, and although 
with an effort he recovered himself, it was im- 
possible for her to restrain her tears. 

In 1845 George F. Root began to give music 
lessons in the New York Institution for the Blind. 
In 1 85 1 it occurred to him that a cantata or 
musical play might be made useful in his classes, 
especially those in Rutgers and Spingler Insti- 
tutes. The floral concerts given by W. B. Brad- 
bury in the Broadway Tabernacle suggested the 
subject of the flowers choosing a queen, and he 
finally determined that the little play should be 
called The Flower Queen. In his autobiogra- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 

phy, entitled The Story of a Musical Life, Dr. 
Root thus expresses his indebtedness to Miss 
Crosby : 

" At the Institution for the Blind there was at 
that time a lady who had been a pupil there, but 
was now a teacher, who had a great gift for 
rhyming, and, better still, had a delicate and 
poetic imagination. The name of Fanny Crosby 
was not known then beyond the small circle of 
her personal friends, but it is now familiar, espe- 
cially wherever Gospel songs are sung. I used 
to tell her one day in prose what I wanted the 
Flowers or the Recluse to say, and the next day 
the poem would be ready — sometimes two or 
three of them. I generally hummed enough of a 
melody to give her an idea of the meter and 
rhythmic swing wanted, and sometimes played to 
her the entire music of a number before she un- 
dertook her work. It was all the same. Like 
many blind people her memory was great, and 
she easily retained all I told her. After receiving 
her poems, which rarely needed any modification, 
I thought out the music, perhaps while going 
from one lesson to another, and then I caught 
the first moment of freedom to write it out. This 
went on until the cantata was finished." 

The same ready pen contributed largely to 
Professor Root's cantata of " Daniel," and also 
that of " The Pilgrim Fathers." Many songs were 
written by her for Professor Root, among them 



14 BELLS AT EVENING. 

" Rosalie the Prairie Flower," " Hazel Dell," 
" The Honeysuckle Glen," " Proud World, 
Good-By, I'm Going Home," " Music in the 
Air," " All Together," " Never Forget the Dear 
Ones," and others. These songs became exceed- 
ingly popular in their day, though it was not gen- 
erally known at the time that she was the author 
of them. The royalty on "Rosalie the Prairie 
Flower " alone amounted to nearly three thou- 
sand dollars. 

Many of Miss Crosby's hymns and songs have 
gone out into the world, though not by her in- 
tent, either anonymously or under some pseu- 
donym. John Julian, in his " Dictionary of 
Hymnology," says of this questionable treat- 
ment: 

" The greater part are signed by a bewildering 
number of initials a.nd 7io?ns deplume; includ- 
ing: 

"A.; C; D. H. W. ; F.; F. A. N.; F. C; F. 
J. C; F. J. V. A.; J. C. F.; V.; V. A.; Ella Dale; 
F. Crosby; F. J. Crosby; Fannie; Fannie Crosby; 
Fanny Van Alstyne; Jenny V.; Mrs. Jenie Glenn; 
Mrs. Kate Grinley; Miss V.; Miss Viola V. A.; Mrs. 
v.; Viola." 

To this crazy-quilt list may be added, Grace J. 
Frances, Mrs. C. M. W^ilson, Lizzie Edwards, 
Henrietta E. Blair, Rose Atherton, Maud Mar- 
ion, Leah Carlton, and others. 

Miss Crosby was married to Alexander Van 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 

Alstyne March 5, 1858. Mr. Van Alstyne was 
a pupil in the Institution and a good musician. 
Strong in their mutual love and sympathy, they 
were willing to take the risks of a world they 
could not see. With all the disadvantages and 
distractions of this independent life the new 
bride never lost her thirst for knowledge, nor did 
there come any diminution of that poetic afflatus 
which made her a queen in her educational 
home. She lived her life of song through all the 
years, and finds in it still her greatest pleasure. 

The diversity of names by which she is known 
is sometimes confusing. One editor, with a 
habit of precision which might well be emulated, 
inscribes her in his hymnal as Mrs. Frances Jane 
Crosby Van Alstyne. Another satisfies himself 
with the briefer form of Mrs. F. J. Van Alstyne. 
Less precise compilers content themselves with 
Miss Frances J. Crosby, or Fanny J. Crosby, or, 
more economically, Fanny Crosby. To the pub- 
lic at large she will probably be known always as 
Fanny Crosby, while to those who are nearest 
to her, and who enjoy the privilege of her confi- 
dence and affection, she is, simply and sweetly, 
Fanny. 

Three volumes of her poems have been pub- 
lished. The first was issued in 1844, entitled 
" The Blind Girl, and Other Poems," containing 
an excellent lithograph portrait of the author. A 
second volume followed in 1849, called "Mon- 



16 BELLS AT EVENING. 

terey, and Other Poems;" and a third, "A 
Wreath of Columbia's Flowers," was issued in 
1858. While these productions are all credit- 
able to the author, it is in no wise on them that 
her fame is based. It is as a writer of hymns, 
especially as popularized in Sunday-schools for 
the last thirty years, that she has made a name 
for herself wherever the English language is 
spoken. Nor is her celebrity confined to people 
of her native tongue ; in almost all quarters of 
the world her hymns have been translated, and 
are sung by Christian people everywhere. 

It was on February 5, 1864, that she wrote the 
first of that long series of hymns which has run up 
into the thousands. This hymn was written for 
W. B. Bradbury, who was then devoting himself 
to musical service among the young, and was fol- 
lowed by scores of others for use in various 
books which Mr. Bradbury edited. The relation 
thus formed between writer and publisher con 
tinued till the death of the latter in 1868. At 
Mr. Bradbury's funeral, this first hymn became 
invested with a kind of sacredness in being sung 
in connection with the musical exercises. Its 
opening lines read thus : 

" We are going, we are going 
To a home beyond the skies." 

After the death of Mr. Bradbury, the relations 
she sustained to that lamented composer were 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 17 

continued with his successors, Biglow & Main, 
which relations remain to this day. Biglow & 
Main have accepted and paid for everything she 
has written for them during all these years. As 
a consequence of this arrangement, a large num- 
ber of her hymns are now in their possession. 
Some of these may yet be set to music, and, it is 
hoped, may prove as useful as many of those 
which have contributed so much to the popularity 
of Fanny Crosby. 

Fanny Crosby delights to recall the dates of 
her first interviews with musical men. She tells 
us that she met Sylvester Main on February 2, 
1864, and renewed an acquaintanceship which 
she had formed when a child in Ridgefield, 
Conn., thirty-two years before. On June 4, 1864, 
she made the friendship of Philip Phillips in Mr. 
Bradbury's office. In the same place she met 
Theo. E. Perkins June 6, 1864. In the same 
year she met Hubert P. Main, for whom she has 
written scores of hymns, and who has been in all 
these years a faithful helper and friend. In 1866 
she came in contact with Robert Lowry, with 
whom she has had many a conference on the 
phrasing of a hymn, and many a conversation on 
the phases of Christian experience. About the 
same time she met Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, T. F. 
Seward and C. G. Allen, who availed themselves 
of her flowing pen. On November 25, 1867, she 
had her first correspondence with W, H. Doane, 
2 



18 BELLS AT EVENING. 

for whom she has written a large quantity of 
songs, besides the words for numerous cantatas, 
sometimes spending weeks at his house elabora- 
ting the material for special work. W. F. Sher- 
win she met on the day after Mr. Bradbury's 
funeral, and began a friendship which lasted till 
his death. In 1877 she was introduced to John 
R. Sweney and W. J. Kirkpatrick at the Ocean 
Grove Camp Meeting, who frequently call upon 
her for verses which they may use in their work. 
In 1876 she met Ira D. Sankey, for whom she 
has written some of her most effective songs, and 
who has recently drawn upon her talent in large 
measure for songs to be used in Gospel meetings. 
In 1872 she began to furnish Silas J. Vail with 
some hymns that became very popular. In 1878 
she made some contributions to H. P. Banks, and 
has continued to do so. In 1879 she met Samuel 
Alman, and supplied him at intervals with ma- 
terial for his singing service. L. H, Biglow has 
been her steadfast friend as far back as Mr. 
Bradbury's time, and has given her every facility 
for the production and publication of her songs. 
It would be easy to extend this list. She has 
hosts of friends, and she is loyal to those who 
have proved their friendship. She quarrels with 
none, but she is quick to defend a friend who is 
attacked. She never forgets a favor, but she 
takes no revenge for a wrong done to herself. 
It is her nature to be confiding, and a suspicion 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 

once aroused becomes painful to her. She takes 
it for granted that the world is honest, for she 
sees no reason why it should be otherwise. She 
is contented with the things that she has, and 
carries the sunshine of a quiet mind wherever 
she goes. The cheerfulness of her childhood 
remains with her, and her presence is a rebuke 
to every form of misanthropy. She takes pleas- 
ure in a lively story, and is as ready to sym- 
pathize in a case of distress. Her nervous tem- 
perament keeps her continually on the alert, but, 
when occasion requires, she can retire within 
herself, and be oblivious to all her surroundings. 

As has already been intimated, Fanny Crosby 
does not mourn over the fact that she is blind. 
On the contrary, the writer of this sketch has 
frequently heard her say that if the gift of sight 
were offered her she would choose rather to re- 
main as she is. She is firmly of the opinion that 
her blindness has proved a blessing. " If I had 
not been deprived of sight," she says, " I should 
never have received so good an education, nor 
have cultivated so fine a memory, nor have been 
able to do good to so many people." This is her 
consolation and her joy. 

She does not seem to need a special inspira- 
tion in order to write. She has her moods, and 
therefore her verses are not of uniform grade. 
But she is very susceptible to a suggestion from 
without. One day, while meditating on the 



20 BELLS AT EVENING. 

leadings of Providence, a friend came into her 
room and gave her ten dollars. The unexpected 
gift awakened a train of thought that formulated 
itself in one of her best hymns, " All the Way My 
Saviour Leads Me." At another time her atten- 
tion v^as called to the sweet sense of security felt 
by the soul that puts its whole trust in Jesus. 
Instantly the thought began to take metrical 
form, and, almost as rapidly as the words could 
be put together, she had struck off", in the white 
heat of her own religious emotion, that hymn of 
faith and comfort, " Safe in the Arms of Jesus," 
which at once she adopted as her favorite. Un- 
der a similar impulse she wrote " Rescue the 
Perishing," a hymn of wonderful usefulness, and 
which, in diction and sentiment, is scarcely to be 
surpassed by anything she has ever produced. 
Multitudes of persons have been aroused to a 
better Ufe, and multitudes more have been com- 
forted in their time of sorrow, through the instru- 
mentality of her hymns. Her influence over the 
young is beyond all calculation, and thousands 
who have passed through the Sunday-school dur- 
ing the last thirty years hold her in the tenderest 
regard as associated with the brightest days of 
their childhood. In every community in which 
her songs have been sung, stories are told of the 
sweet influence of her lines on life and character. 
She rarely appears in any assembly without call- 
ing forth witnesses to her power for good. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 

Sometimes the demonstration is dramatic. One 
evening she was present in a mission meeting 
when " Rescue the Perishing " was sung. A 
young man arose and told the story of his wan- 
derings : Hungry and penniless, he was strolling 
through the streets one night when he heard the 
sound of singing. Entering the hall, he caught 
the words of this hymn. His heart broke in 
penitence. " I was just ready to perish," he said, 
" but that hymn, by the grace of God, saved me." 
Fancy the scene when the author and the 
speaker stood face to face, their eyes filled with 
tears, and the audience thrilled with the pathos 
of the meeting. 

It is difficult to determine what is that element 
in a metrical composition by which it survives 
the general wreck. Songs and hymns in great 
numbers are thrown before the public, and kept 
afloat for a time by a mellifluous or "catchy" 
tune. They have their brief day, and then dis- 
appear. Evidently there is something more 
needed than a mere jingle of words in order to 
give a hymn an abiding life. Not even the high- 
est grade of poetry will secure a fixed place in 
the service of praise if it be lacking in spiritual 
quality. There must be in a hymn something 
which is readily apprehended by the Christian 
consciousness, coming forth from the experience 
of the writer, and clothed in strong and inspiring 
words, if it would hold its place as a permanent 



22 BELLS AT EVENING. 

factor in Christian worship. The time has not 
yet come when Fanny Crosby's place among the 
hymn writers of Christendom may be deter- 
mined ; but it is safe to say that, of the many 
hymns which have come up from the throbbings 
of her warm heart, there will be found in the 
ultimate sifting no inconsiderable number which 
the world will not willingly let die. 

Passing now through the later seventies of her 
useful life, she preserves all the sprightliness of 
her early years. Her friendships are fervent, 
and her hope is strong. She loves her work, and 
she finds her rest in Christ. In her younger 
days she joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and its fellowship is still her comfort and delight. 
She engages in no doctrinal controversies, but 
speaks the language of Zion with saints of every 
name. She sits in her easy chair, holding an 
open book before her closed eyes, working her 
vivid concepts into hymnic phrases which her 
amanuensis writes down. Thus she spends her 
days, waiting her appointed time. When it 
comes, she will open her eyes on the glory that 
shall be revealed, and take her part in the new 
song. 

Note.— 714^ three earlier collections by F. f. Crosby^ men- 
tioned in this Biographical Sketch, are out of prints and can- 
not be furnished. 



SECULAR POEMS. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 

I TURNED from the crowded city, 

And strolled by myself alone, 
Languidly musing, and humming a tune 

In a dull and drowsy tone. 
Till I came to a lovely village 

That nestled among the dells ; 
Then my heart leaped up with a strange, 
wild thrill 

At the sound of the evening bells, — 

Now bursting in sudden clangor, 

Now melting in softer strains. 
Till I felt the power of my soul entranced, 

Held fast by unyielding chains ; 
E'en now I can hear the echo 

That floated among the dells ; 
And I weep as then I wept for joy 

At the sound of the evening bells. 

Ah me, it is bright as ever. 

The close of a halcyon day 
That down in the vault of a moldering past 

I thought I had laid away ; 



24 BELLS AT EVENING, 

But the same warm gush of feeling 

Again in my bosom swells ; 
And I wonder if still from the old church spire 

Ring out those evening bells. 

I think of that rustic village. 

Secluded as once it stood, 
With its dwellings so unpretending, 

That sheltered the pure and good ; 
And a lone, sweet voice is blending 

With the echoes among the dells ; 
And a form trips by with a fairy tread. 

As I list to the evening bells. 

I stand where a whitethorn blossoms, 

But not by myself alone ; 
I am looking into a girlish face, 

And catching her every tone ; 
And this is our young love's dawning ; 

What rapture its memory tells ! 
And our hearts keep time with the mellow chime. 

The chime of the evening bells. 

O throb of a passing moment ! 

O bliss that will come no more ! 
We met, and too soon we parted ; 

The dream of my life is o'er ; 
The bells of my heart are silent ; 

She sleeps in that distant clime ; 
But I sometimes ask if her soul can hear 

The bells at the evening time. 



SECULAR POEMS. 25 

The bells of my heart are silent. 

The springs of my youth are dry ; 
And yet in my lonely musings 

I long like a bird to fly ; 
I yearn for one look at the village 

That nestles among the dells ; 
Then to pass away in the gloaming 

'Mid the chiming of evening bells. 



GREETING TO THE CITIZENS OF 
BRIDGEPORT. 

Friends, around your growing city, 

Rich in beauty, wealth and art. 
Cling the best and purest feelings 

Ever wakened in my heart. 
Dear to me each laughing brooklet, 

Dear to me each mossy rill. 
And the home of my adoption. 

May I call it, if I will ? 
Home is where our memory lingers. 

And our thoughts a vigil keep 
O'er the graves our tears have hallowed, 

Tears that only love can weep. 
Rural cot and stately villa 

Nestle 'mid your groves so fair ; 
And in summer, O how sweetly 

Comes the cool and fragrant air ! 



26 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Once at close of day I wandered, 

Musing on your wave-girt shore. 
Through your seaside park so lovely. 

Where the crested billows roar ; 
And I thought the birds sang sweeter 

Than they ever sang before. 
Then I saw in queenly beauty, 

Radiance flashing from her eye. 
Freedom's goddess bending graceful 

From her chariot in the sky; 
And she said in solemn accents, 

While she held our banner bright. 
Crimson with the blood of martyrs, 

Gleaming in the rosy light : 
From this patriotic city, 

When the battle cry was heard, 
And the fire of indignation 

Every loyal bosom stirred — 
From this patriotic city. 

Rank by rank and corps by corps. 
Rushed they on with lion courage ; 

Some, alas ! returned no more. 
But their names are not forgotten ; 

On this monument they stand, 
Wreathed in amaranthine laurels 

Twined by love's immortal hand. 
Then she smihng laved her pinions 

In the white foam's dashing spray, 
Blessed the monument she guarded. 

Spread her wings and soared away. 



SECULAR POEMS. 27 

Then a burst of choral music, 

Whence I knew not, filled the air ; 
Were those patriot souls departed 

Hovering in the sunset there ? 
In that crimson, cloudless sunset 

That before me shone so bright, 
Did they vanish when its glory 

Passed forever from my sight ? 



Friends, your city, from my girlhood. 

Was a treasured spot to me ; 
Many a summer's glad vacation 

'Mid its wilds 'twas mine to see. 
Time has added to its beauty, 

Changed the haunts I still recall, 
But a light from past enjoyment 

Is reflected over all. 
I can see the picnic gathered 

On the beach at evening time; 
I can see the full moon rising 

In her majesty sublime ; 
And the fairy boat so graceful 

As it glided from the shore, 
Till we scarcely heard the echo 

Of its lightly dipping oar. 
Ah, perchance those simple customs 

Are not held so dear as then, 
But have dwindled into shadows 

Of the things that once have been. 



28 BELLS AT EVENING. 

They were pleasant in their nature, 

They were social of their kind. 
And they left a healthful pleasure 

In the young and eager mind. 
Oft I clasp the hands of many 

That in early days I met 
When I hither came to visit 

Mother, sisters, spared me yet ; 
But some tender links have parted 

From the chain affection wove, 
And their hallowed dust is sleeping 

In your lovely Mountain Grove. 
And my full heart bending o'er them 

Weeps not hopeless where they lie, 
But believing through the Saviour 

I shall meet them by and by — 
Meet them in the soul's hereafter, 

Meet them on the palmy shore. 
In the sunny land of roses. 

In the Christian's evermore. 
Once I stood beside their gravestones, 

When the leaves around me fell, 
And the branches swayed above me. 

And their moan was like a knell ; 
For a funeral train passed near me 

To a grave but newly made. 
And an infant in its beauty 

Like a lily there was laid. 
What a calm steals o'er my spirit 

While in pensive thought I rove 



SECULAR POEMS. 29 

Through the shaded walks that circle 
Round your quiet Mountain Grove. 

It was well and wisely chosen; 
And, when future years have fled. 

Let no changes that may follow 
E'er disturb the silent dead. 

O'er your city may the blessing 

Of the holy One descend ; 
May its onward march continue, 

And its commerce wide extend ; 
And among its sweet environs 

May the yearly fruits abound ; 
With the smiles of peace and plenty 

May the farmer's toil be crowned. 



THE RAINDROP. 

A GOLDEN cloud came flitting by 

On the clear blue arch of a summer's sky ; 

And a crystal drop, as it lightly fell, 

Like an orient pearl in a lily bell, 

Had stolen a blush from the cheek of day 

That lingered there in its idle play, 

And spangled the raindrop pure and white 

With the wavy tints of its crimson light, 

Then flitted away in its sportive glee 

To a star that rose o'er the twihght sea. 

'Twas only its mirrored glance that shone, 

Like the memory sweet of some whispered tone, 



30 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And the beautiful raindrop looked in vain 
For the beam that had gone to its source again, 
Then turned to the bosom that loved it best, 
And sighed as it wearily sank to rest. 

And the lily smiled as it lingered there 

And nestled soft in her petals fair, 

And drank of the snowy cup she filled 

With the balmy breath from her heart distilled ; 

But a zephyr came, and it murmured low 

As the tender cadence of streams that flow 

Where the date tree bends like a stately queen 

Her leaf-crowned head to the olive green ; 

And aromas sweet from the flowers it bore. 

That bloom in the vales of that far-off shore, 

And the last wild song of a woodland bird. 

And a sigh that a maiden's heart had stirred. 

And a silver note as it lightly fell 

From a lover's lute in a fairy dell ; 

But while with the lily it seemed to play, 

It wooed from her bosom the drop away 

Ere the rosy morn from the dewy steep 

Awakened the birds from their dreamy sleep ; 

On her slender stem she had pined alone ; 

Her heart and her life with that drop had flown. 

And where was the truant ? O'er hill and glade 

With the zephyr it passed through the forest shade 

To a couch where a dying infant lay. 

And a pale young mother had knelt to pray ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 31 

And it moistened the lips that with fever burned, 
And a light to the half-closed eyes returned ; 
And it cooled his brow, and lulled his pain. 
And dimpled his cheek with a smile again. 
A warrior looked on his blushing bride 
As she drew for a moment her veil aside. 
And it shone on a wreath like a diamond rare, 
'Mid the clustering curls of her auburn hair. 
But dreary and sad was its fate at last. 
For the roses died and the summer passed ; 
And the zephyr, too, on its idle wing 
Had left it alone like a blighted thing ; 
And the frost spirit came when the night was still, 
And it froze at the touch of his fingers chill ; 
And the tale of the raindrop, bright and brief, 
Is heard in the moan of the autumn leaf. 



THE VIOLET'S ANSWER. 

" Little violet, thou art lonely ; 

Wilt thou come and bloom with me ? 
All thy sister flowers have faded ; 

None are left to care for thee." 
" No," she answered, " let me rather 

In this quiet valley stay ; 
Near the graves of those I cherish 

Let me live my life away, 

Till I wither and decay." 



32 BELLS AT EVENING. 

THE MAIDEN AND HER CANOE. 

Speeding along so fleetly 

Over the waters blue, 
Who is that dark-eyed maiden 

Guiding her bark canoe ? 
Swiftly the tide is flowing ; 

Is there no danger near. 
Danger to her now gliding 

Over the waters clear ? 
Ah, she has reached the forest, 

Gayly she drops the oar ; 
Now like a fawn we see her 

Leap to the emerald shore ; 
Laughing, she hurls an arrow 

Quick from her painted bow ; 
Is it a promised signal ? 

Where will the arrow go ? 
Yonder a stalwart hunter 

Peers through the deepening shade. 
Catches the lover's token. 

Welcomes the gentle maid. 
Now in her queenly beauty 

Rises the summer moon ; 
All the young flowers are sleeping, 

All the sweet flowers of June ; 
What doth the hunter whisper 

Soft in the maiden's ear? 
Why is her warm cheek blushing? 

Say, shall we pause and hear ? 



SECULAR POEMS. 33 

Ah, there are vows repeated. 

Pledges of love are given. 
Pure as the stars that glisten 

Bright in the arch of heaven. 
Now to her home returning 

Over the waters blue, 
Lightly the happy maiden 

Sings in her bark canoe. 
Wind of the east, old Wabun, 

Wake from thy drowsy sleep, 
Scatter the breath of lilies 

Over the crystal deep ; 
Touch not the maiden's tresses ; 

Love hath her heart beguiled ; 
Spirits of air, watch o'er her, 

Rose of the forest wild. 



MINNIE'S BIRTHDAY. 

I SAT in the soft gray twilight, 

And mused on a single star 
That shone like a sparkling jewel 

And scattered its beams afar; 
I sat by a murmuring brooklet. 

And, low on a mossy bed 
That cradled a pure white lily, 

I pillowed my weary head ; 
A balmy sleep stole o'er me. 

And lightly I sped away 
3 



34 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Where a social group had gathered 

On a maiden's natal day ; 
And the maiden was young and happy ; 

And her mild eyes seemed so bright, 
I thought they had caught a luster 

From the star that had blessed my sight; 
I saw it ere slumber wooed me ; 

And now to that rustic bower 
It came with the smile of the angel 

That guarded that festive hour. 

I sat in the soft gray twilight, 

Unseen by that goodly throng, 
And I heard their voices blending 

In many a joyous song ; 
And the maiden was young and gentle ; 

So gentle was she and kind, 
The lily beside the brooklet 

Was still with my dream entwined ; 
And many a wish was tendered, 

And sealed with affection's tears. 
That the roses which then were budding 

Might bloom in her after years ; 
And a mother's heart beat fondly 

As she looked on her daughter fair, 
And the dewy breeze bore upward 

A sigh and a fervent prayer — 
A prayer that no lips but a mother's 

With feelings so warm can breathe — 
A prayer that a Saviour's blessing 

Might follow that birthday eve. 



SECULAR POEMS. 35 

Like the parting of summer wavelets 

As they sink to a calm repose, 
Were the sweet good-byes that were spoken 

At that festive evening's close ; 
But the star of the soft gray twilight 

Will ne'er from the maiden part, 
And the lily beside the brooklet 

Will live in her guileless heart. 

What meaneth this play of fancy ? 

And who can the maiden be ? 
Say, Minnie, canst thou not guess it ? 

I'll help thee, for thou art she ; 
And I pray that thy life may ever 

Flow onward as calmly bright 
As the star and the smile of the angel 

That rest on thy brow to-night. 



NANNETTE. 
'Tis years since iirst she came to me 
In all her merry girlish glee ; 
And yet my fancy now can trace 
Her sylphlike form, her modest grace, 
Her dimpled cheeks of rosy hue. 
Her coral lips, and eyes so blue 
That from their azure depths serene 
The lovelight of her soul was seen. 
O never can my heart forget 
Our little Queen of May, Nannette. 



36 BELLS AT EVENING. 

How timid, when we chose her queen, 
And crowned her on the village green ! 
Yet in a moment, self-possessed, 
A few brief words her thanks expressed, 
And then in song and artless play 
The hours went by till close of day. 
And Harry Lee remembers yet 
Our little Queen of May, Nannette ; 
He sought her 'neath a rustic shade 
To which from mazy dance she strayed ; 
And, not unwilling, did she hear 
His honest vows of love sincere ; 
Nor was it strange ere set of sun 
Their hearts had melted into one. 

Three happy summers came and went, 
And Harry all his powers had bent 
To one great object, which had proved 
How hard he toiled, how deep he loved. 
'Twas gained at last ; he saw complete 
A simple dwelling, plain and neat. 
And dear Nannette, his loving bride. 
Its happy mistress and its pride. 
I know he never will forget 
Our little Queen of May, Nannette. 



SECULAR POEMS. 37 

TO A BIRD. 

The dewdrops are melting away, my bird, 
The sunbeams are kissing tlie flowers ; 

And hast thou no greeting, no song of deUght, 
To welcome these lovely hours ? 

why art thou drooping and sad, my bird ? 
And why dost thou cease to sing ? 

Wouldst thou fly to the groves of thine own fair 
isle? 
Art thou eager to spread thy wing ? 

And what if I let thee go, my bird ? 

How heartless I then should be ; 
For the journey is long, and thy strength would fail; 

Thou wouldst never come back to me. 

1 will give thee a glad surprise, my bird ; 
Thou shalt play with the laughing breeze ; 

I will hang thy cage in a shady nook ; 
It shall swing in the leafy trees. 

Ah, now thou art happy again, my bird, 

And thy voice rings out so clear 
That the robin, the wren, and the bluebird, too, 

Are coming its thrill to hear. 

Ah, yes, thou art happy again, my bird, 

And lonely thou ne'er shalt be ; 
I will make thy life like a sweet spring day, 

If still thou wilt carol for me. 



38 BELLS AT EVENING. 



VOICE OF THE NIGHT WIND. 

Voice of the night wind, mournfully stealing 

Forth from the depths of thy dark ocean cave, 
Shrieking in terror, wailing in pity. 

Chanting a dirge o'er the mariner's grave, — 
What art thou saying ? eager, I listen. 

Catching each note of thy tremulous moan, 
W^hile my worn spirit, pining with anguish, 

Sighs for the friends that have left it alone. 

Voice of the night wind, speak to me gently, 

Tell of the days that were cloudless and bright ; 
Bring, if thou canst, the fond hopes I have cher- 
ished. 

Clothe them in beauty and deck them with light ; 
Still thou art sighing, drearily sighing, 

Fitfully breathing thy desolate moan. 
While my worn spirit, crushed and forsaken. 

Weeps for the friends that have left it alone. 



THE OLD YEAR. 

Shall I weep for thee, Old Year? 

I rejoiced when thou wert born ; 
And, with mirth and festive cheer. 

How I hailed the blushing morn, 
Cold and crisp, and yet so clear ! 

Shall I weep for thee. Old Year? 



SECULAR POEMS. 39 

Thou art dying, and the bell 
Soon will toll thy parting knell 
Through the lonely, silent dell. 

Where, with footstep light and free, 

When the dew was on the lea. 
And the violets came in spring. 
Like a bird I used to sing ; 

But the winter now is here ; 

Shall I weep for thee. Old Year? 

O the winter of the heart 

When it hears the stormwinds blow, 
When it sees each flower depart, 

When it lays them 'neath the snow, 

'Neath the white and feathery snow ! 

How it longs like thee to go ! 
For its days are dark and drear ; 
Shall I weep for thee, Old Year ? 

Thou art gone, and in thy place. 
With a bright and smiling face. 

Comes the New Year, fair as thou, 

With a chaplet on his brow ; 
And his voice is sweet and clear ; 
Shall I weep for thee, Old Year ? 

But the spring will come ere long. 
And my heart will then be gay, 

When I hear the wild bird's song 
As in many a bygone day. 

And the sky will be as clear 

As thine own, O vanished year. 



40 BELLS AT EVENING. 

AMERICAN HEARTS AND HOMES. 

Ye may sing of the palmy isles that sleep 

Like pearls on the ocean's breast, 
Where the spirits of beauty their vigil keep. 

And the oriole builds her nest ; 
Ye may tell of the classic founts that flow 

In the sweet Arcadian bowers, 
Where the mellow tints of the sunlight glow 

As they play with the rosy hours. 

But give me the land of the rocking pine 

And the brave old forest oak. 
That rang with the lofty strains sublime 

That our Pilgrim Fathers woke. 
When their barque was moored and its anchor cast 

'Mid the glow of the setting sun, 
When the storms of the troubled deep were passed. 

And their weary voyage was done. 

There was joy in the hearts of our Pilgrim Sires 

As on Plymouth Rock they stood. 
And the welcome light of their crackling fires 

Loomed up through the forest wood ; 
And they praised the Lord and adored His grace 

Who had brought them o'er the sea ; 
For now they had found a resting place. 

And to worship Him were free. 

Though dreary and wild was that wave-girt shore, 
And cold was the wintry air. 



SECULAR POEMS. 41 

The voice of the tyrant was heard no more ; 

The angel of peace was there ; 
And a radiant gem from her crown she set 

In the path where the moonlight roams — 
A star that in glory is shining yet 

O'er American hearts and homes. 

O, that beacon of hope in the darkest hour 

That hung o'er oppression's night, 
Was the guard of the brave; and they felt its 
power 

As they looked on its steady light ; 
But over each link of the tyrant's chain 

The surge of old ocean foams, 
And Freedom the goddess that dwells and reigns 

In American hearts and homes. 

Now the Stars and Stripes of our country wave 

Far, far o'er the distant sea. 
And herald the deeds of the gallant brave. 

And tell of the noble free ; 
And the lonely exile worn with grief, 

As weary and sad he roams, 
May find for each sorrow a sweet relief 

In American hearts and homes. 

Let me die in the land where my native streams 

In their stately grandeur flow ; 
Where the tender smile of affection beams, 

And the skies in their beauty glow ; 



42 BELLS AT EVENING. 

On tte standard of Freedom my eyes would rest 
Ere my spirit heavenward roams ; 

I would give the last sigh of a faithful breast 
To American hearts and homes. 



THANKSGIVING DAY. 

" They're coming home to-morrow night 

A happy time 'twill be ; " 
The old man wiped his spectacles, 

And rubbed his hands with glee ; 
" We'll have the candles lighted, 

And burning in the hall ; 
They're coming home to-morrow night, 

The little ones and all. 

" Now, Susie, don't be idle ; 

There's heaps of work to do ; 
The pumpkin pies are yet to make, 

The tarts and doughnuts, too ; 
Your limbs are young and supple. 

And therefore you should be 
As nimble as a cricket, 

And busy as a bee. 

•' Poor grandma can't do everything, 

For she is growing old ; 
And yet, for all, I tell you 

She's worth your weight in gold. 



SECULAR POEMS. 43 

There, grandpa was not scolding ; 

Don't cry, but run away ; 
They're coming home to-morrow night, 

To spend Thanksgiving Day. 

" I am too harsh with Susie ; 

I wish I was not so ; 
She always tries to please me. 

And does her best, I know ; 
She left her home and parents, 

And came with us to stay ; 
Well, she shall have a brand-new comb 

To wear Thanksgiving Day. 

" Ah, there she comes with grandma, 

As chipper as a bird, 
Her face all smiles and sunshine ; 

She has not told a word ; 
She never tells, but hides them. 

The cruel words I say ; 
But she'll not be the loser 

On next Thanksgiving Day. 

" They're coming home to-morrow night, 

Ruth, Phoebe, Grace, and Ann, 
Josiah, David, Benjamin, 

Luke, Abel, Nate, and Dan, 
Their children, wives, and husbands, too ; 

Some now are on their way ; 
They'll all be home to-morrow night, 

To spend Thanksgiving Day. 



44 BELLS AT EVENING. 

" Our Dan is Susie's father ; 

A likely boy was he ; 
He married very early ; 

His wife was Patience Lee, 
The finest girl in Springfield, 

And well-to-do beside ; 
The Worcester folks turned out, I guess. 

When Dan brought home his bride. 

" Our children are not handsome, 

But, like their mother, good ; 
She never spared the rod on them. 

But trained them as she should ; 
They're every one a credit ; 

And proud am I to say, 
They're coming home to-morrow night, 

To spend Thanksgiving Day." 

Up rose that stalwart farmer 

Of threescore years and ten, 
And one might almost fancy 

He was growing young again ; 
He stepped around so quickly ; 

And oft was heard to say, 
" They're coming home to-morrow night. 

To spend Thanksgiving Day." 

He walked about the farmyard. 

Among the poultry there. 
And looked to see that all were fed, 

With more than usual care ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 45 

And then he met a neighbor, 
And stopped him just to say, 

*• They'll all be home to-morrow night. 
To spend Thanksgiving Day." 

At length the morrow's morning 

Broke cloudless and serene, 
And Farmer Jones was early 

A watcher of the scene ; 
His consort, too, had risen ; 

And Susie, glad and gay, 
Called out, " Good morning, grandpa ; 

I'm just fifteen to-day." 

" Then you shall have a present," 

Her grandpa smiling said ; 
" What shall I bring you, Daisy ? " 

He stroked her glossy head ; 
She looked at him and answered. 

Through tears that glistened bright, 
" O love me just a little 

When they all come home to-night," 

And long before the shadows 

Had gathered in the west. 
The baking was completed. 

The poultry killed and dressed ; 
The pretty comb was purchased. 

And Susie heard to say, 
*' Dear grandpa, how I thank you ; 

You've cheered my heart to-day." 



46 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Soon wagon after wagon 

Rolled up before the door ; 
The house was filled with music 

And merriment once more ; 
The candles, too, were lighted. 

And burning in the hall, 
And Farmer Jones was shaking hands 

With little ones and all. 

The evening meal concluded. 

The children snug in bed, 
The older ones grew thoughtful, 

And then a prayer was said ; 
And Farmer Jones with reverence 

Did not forget to say, 
" I praise Thee, Lord, that all are here, 

To spend Thanksgiving Day." 

And once again 'twas morning ; 

In health they all arose; 
Beneath their own paternal roof 

How tranquil their repose ! 
The day was soft and balmy, 

And all to church had gone. 
Except the Httle ones they left 

To play upon the lawn. 

The sermon was impressive, 
It spoke of by-gone years ; 

And all the congregation 
Were melted into tears— 



SECULAR POEMS. 47 

Glad tears they were, and grateful 

To Him who from above 
Had blessed their yearly harvest, 

And crowned it with His love. 

A simple prayer was offered, 

And then the Pastor came, 
Shook hands with all so warmly, 

And greeted each by name; 
The poor were not forgotten, 

Nor slighted by the way, 
But shared his benediction 

On that Thanksgiving Day. 

Home went our friends delighted ; 

The hour was some\vhat late ; 
The large, old-fashioned table groaned 

Beneath its heavy weight 
Of poultry, pies, and puddings. 

Of every name and kind. 
And fragrant tea that so revives 

And renovates the mind. 

And thus the day wore onward, 

Till all its joys were passed ; 
The stars came out at twilight, 

The evening closed at last ; 
And, when to rest retiring. 

They all were heard to say, 
•' God bless our dear New England 

For such a glorious day." 



48 BELLS AT EVENING. 

CORA LEE: A CHRISTMAS STORY. 

FOR CHILDREN. 

' TWAS Christmas Eve, and from the street 
Was heard the tread of merry feet, 
And happy voices. All v^ere glad ; 
How could a single heart be sad 
When such a festival was near. 
The greatest one of all the year ? 
The bells gave out a clearer tone, 
The lamps with dazzling beauty shone 
From windows filled with costly toys. 
Inviting groups of girls and boys 
To come and purchase if they would ; 
And wealth and want together stood — 
The one with lavish hand to buy, 
The other with a wishful eye 
To gaze, admire, and turn away 
Dejected from that bright array. 

Now busy toil gave place to rest. 
And homes were brilliant, churches dressed 
With evergreens, festooned with flowers, 
To greet the blessed Christmas hours ; 
And children's parties, too, there were. 
And trees all hung with presents rare, 
And cherry lips that pouting said. 
As wearily the golden head 



SECULAR POEMS. 49 

Dropped on its pillow soft and white, 
" O nurse, my stocking is so small 
That, when old Santa comes to-night. 
He will not know it's there at all ; 
I want a bigger one than this ; " 
And then, in sweet forgetfulness. 
How soon beneath each silken lid 
Those lovely, laughing orbs were hid ! 

"Joy! joy ! mamma," cried Cora Lee, 
♦' Look what papa has brought for me — 
A set of jewels, pin and rings, 
A pair of bracelets, just the things ; 
See how they glitter in the light ; 
I know I'll be a belle to-night ; 
These jewels make my dress complete ; 
Mamma, do you not think them sweet ? '* 
Her mother shook her head and sighed ; 
" Why, Cora, darling," she replied, 
" I thought your dress complete before ; 
It really needed nothing more ; 
Papa's indulgent love, I fear. 
Has made you proud and vain, my dear ; 
Now while your gathering ought to be 
A scene of gay festivity, 
While every face with joy should glow. 
No time your vanity to show ; 
Remember why this eve we keep. 
And, ere you close your eyes to sleep. 
Kneel down, my child, and ask of Heaven 
That this your fault may be forgiven," 
4 



^0 BELLS AT EVENING. 

That moment, by her conscience swayed. 

Had Cora listened and obeyed, 

The evening pleasantly had passed ; 

But now a shade is o'er it cast ; 

With marked displeasure on her face, 

That pained her mother's heart to trace, 

She sought her room, and closed the door, 

And in the mirror o'er and o'er 

Surveyed her form, indulged her pride, 

And yet, with all dissatisfied. 

She would have given worlds to feel 

One loving arm around her steal ; 

But merry voices from below 

Were calling her, and she must go. 

She met her friends, and tried to say 

As many cheerful things as they ; 

Her mother joined the happy throng. 

And led them in a choral song ; 

And Santa Claus in furs arrayed 

His annual Christmas visit paid. 

And, as he many times had done, 

A present gave to everyone ; 

'Twas strange that Cora's gift should be 

A book, its name " Humility." 

With wishes for the coming day, 

The guests delighted went away ; 

And Cora in her room once more 

Took up her book and looked it o'er. 

She knew who Santa Claus had been, 

And needed not to ask again 



SECULAR POEMS. 5 

What mamma meant ; she knew it all ; 

And sadly did her thoughts recall 

Her ill-timed anger when reproved, 

And justly, too, by one she loved. 

And now that little work explained 

Humility, and how 'twas gained 

By sacrifice of worldly pride. 

And, taken as our only guide. 

The words of Him who came on earth, 

Despised, oppressed, of lowly birth, 

And bore our sins upon the tree 

That cleansed from sin we all might be. 

And, as she read, the midnight bell 

Upon the air like music fell ; 

Then, kneeling there, she asked of Heaven 

That all her faults might be forgiven. 

O, did a voice to hers reply ? 

Was Bethlehem's star in yonder sky ? 

And did its glory shine again 

As when it rose on Bethlehem's plain, 

While multitudes of angels sang, 

And heaven with hallelujahs rang ? 

Too happy she for sleep that night. 

But with the blush of morning light 

She told her parents what had passed. 

And how her faith had found at last 

A jewel, fadeless, priceless, rare, 

That in her soul she meant to wear. 

Till, in her crown of life divine, 

Its luster should forever shine. 



52 BELLS AT EVENING. 



BID ME GOOD NIGHT. 

Bid me good night with those eloquent eyes, 
Blue as the depths of the star-jeweled skies, 
Pure as the soul that looks out in their gaze ; 
Blame not, O blame not my tribute of praise ; 
Come, for the moments are speeding their flight ; 
Bid me good night, darling, bid me good night. 

Bid me good night with a smile that will say 
More than thy language can ever portray ; 
Then let me carry that smile in my heart, 
Changed to a pearl by love's magical art ; 
Come, for the moments are speeding their flight ; 
Bid me good night, darling, bid me good night. 

Bid me good night with a sigh that will tell 
Every sweet impulse thou knowest so well, 
All thy affection confided to me, 
All the fond vows I have whispered to thee ; 
Come, for the moments are speeding their flight ; 
Bid me good night, darling, bid me good night. 

Bid me good night with a word that can speak 
All I am hoping and all that I seek ; 
Wishing my dreams may be happy and bright. 
Bid me good night, darling, bid me good night ; 
Come, for the moments are speeding their flight; 
Bid me good night, darling, bid me good night. 



SECULAR POEMS. 53 

A TRIBUTE TO CINCINNATI. 

What ? forget thee, Cincinnati, 

Lovely city of tlie West ? 
Never till the pulse of feeling 

Throbs its last within my breast. 
I have spent such days of pleasure, 

O, such months of joy in thee, 
That the very thought of leaving 

Brought unwelcome tears to me. 
I can see thy stately buildings ; 

They are all before me yet ; 
I can see thy fountain goddess 

Throw aloft a spray of jet ; 
Taste, magnificence and splendor 

In that work of art are shown, 
Far exceeding in impression 

Anything I e'er have known. 
Churches, Sunday-schools and missions 

Do thee credit, every one ; 
For the humble and the lowly 

Thou a noble work hast done. 
In a church I heard, one Sabbath — 

And it seemed to me sublime — 
Fifteen hundred children singing 

" Precious Name " in perfect time. 
Thou canst boast a hall of learning 

Filled with books of endless store ; 
And that Wesleyan College numbers 

Half a century and more. 



54 BELLS AT EVENING. 

What a glorious scene to view it 

Grouped with girls of talents rare, 
Poring o'er its ponderous volumes — 

Not a moment wasted there ! 
And, among thy sweet environs. 

Pleasant thoughts are clinging still 
Round the names of dear Mount Auburn, 

Clifton Park, and Corryville. 
There's a dwelling on Mount Auburn 

That my heart remembers well ; 
I ascend to its veranda. 

And my hand is on the bell. 
Just the same as when I left it, 

Comes the old familiar sound; 
Now the door flies quickly open, 

And I enter with a bound. 
I must calm this burst of transport, 

I must stay its sudden flight. 
For my brain is growing giddy 

'Mid a whirl of gay delight. 
With the first warm greeting over, 

Up the easy stairs I glide ; 
By a cheerful grate they place me, 

All my wrappings thrown aside. 
Then begins a conversation, 

And the time flies quick and fast ; 
By and by a summons calls us 

To the closing day's repast. 
This is not a dreamy picture 

Drawn from fancies floating free ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 55 

That Mount Auburn home is real. 

True to life as truth can be. 
What ? forget thee, Cincinnati, 

Lovely city of the West ? 
Never till the pulse of feeling 

Throbs its last within my breast. 



POETS' CORNER. 

THOMAS MOORE. 

O BARD of Erin, who like thee 
Could paint that boat on Omar's sea ; 
Those frightful rocks where, blade in hand. 
Around their chief the Ghebers stand ; 
The unequal strife, the flames that rise 
Where Hafed vanquished falls and dies, 
While Hinda, shrieking for the brave, 
Is lost forever 'neath the wave ? 

ALFRED TENNYSON. 

Among thy rich, prolific lays, 
I most of all admire and praise 
King Arthur's passing ; this has won 
Thy brightest laurels, Tennyson. 

MRS. HEMANS. 

Canst thou behold, from yonder sky, 
Where once the breaking waves dashed high 
On rock-bound coast, and, midst their roar 
Upon the wild New England shore. 
While night hung heavy, cold and dark, 
A band of exiles moored their barque ? 



56 BELLS AT EVENING. 

ELIZA COOK. 
I treasure yet the old armchair, 
And on my heart its memory bear ; 
And still Britannia loudly cheers 
Thy banner of a thousand years. 

JAMES MONTGOMERY. 

Prayer was thy burden of a sigh, 

The upward glancing of thine eye. 

Thy vital breath, thy native air. 

And thou did'st enter Heaven with prayer. 

HORATIUS BONAR. 

Thy harp was made and tuned above ; 
Its songs are of a Saviour's love. 
Of palm and crown, and city fair. 
And spotless robes the righteous wear. 

H. W. LONGFELLOW. 

Sweet Laughing Water ! dear to me 

That Indian tale will ever be. 

So blent with every witching art 

That lures the sense and charms the heart. 

WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. 

Didst hear thy summons when it came, 
When soft the angel breathed thy name ? 
Didst round thee fold thy drapery white, 
And, bidding all the world good night, 
Beneath that star from heaven that beams, 
Didst lay thee down to pleasant dreams ? 



SECULAR POEMS. S9 

J. G. WHITTIER. 

I would be Snow Bound many a day 
If I could sit and hear thee say, 
" Of all sad words of tongue or pen 
The saddest are these, it might have been." 

N. p. WILLIS. 

Thy Hagar when the tent she left, 
Of all except her pride bereft, 
Thy leper cleansed by power divine — 
All at this moment round me twine; 
O Willis, would thy muse were mine. 

LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY. 

What transport in my heart awoke 
When first I heard thy Charter Oak ! 
That seemed an inspiration given 
By Him who called thee home to Heaven. 

GEORGE p. MORRIS. 

Yes, poet, yes, I weep for thee ; 

Parted for aye on earth are we. 

Like mountain streams that shall unite 

In that vast river of delight 

Which hath its source in yonder clime 

Where bells of joy forever chime. 

FRANCES R. HAVERGAL. 

Dear sister, o'er the wave-girt sea 
A kindred spirit yearns for thee. 
And longs in heart to clasp thy hand, 
And greet thee in her native land, — 



58 BELLS AT EVENING. 

To mingle friendship's tones with thine. 
To kneel with thee at that loved shrine 
Where both, perchance, at evening meet, 
And hold with God communion sweet. 



You from whose garners I have gleaned 
Such precious fruit, the task has seemed 
So pleasant that my humble pen 
Would fain resume its work again ; 
In your bright realms 'twere bliss to stay , 
But time forbids, and I obey. 



THE MONARCH AND THE MINSTREL. 
" Peace, minstrel, peace ; I'll hear no more ; 

I have been weary long ; 
There is no music in thy heart, 

Nor passion in thy song; 
Back to thy dungeon ; thou hast failed 

To give me what I crave ; 
Go, wear thy chains ; they suit thee well , 

Go, thou art still a slave ; 
What care I for thy prosy tales ? 

They have no charm for me ; 
I want the strains of bards that lived 

In times of chivalry, 
When cross and crescent lit a spark 

That fired the daring brave ; 
But, like a statue, thou art dumb, 

And thou should'st die a slave. 



SECULAR POEMS. 59 

" Thou knowest naught of Palestine, 

Or of the bold crusade 
Against the rude and savage hordes 

On eastern fields arrayed. 
I've stood upon the very spot ; 

E'en now in thought I stand 
Where lion-hearted Richard stood 

Among his trusty band 
Of noble warriors clad in steel, 

And proof against the foe ; 
Their glittering swords where'er they came 

Struck death at every blow. 
Thy words are false ; thou canst not sing 

Their deeds, those champions brave ; 
But thou shalt quail beneath my wrath. 

And be tenfold a slave. 
I had, and well I mind him now, 

A page of talent rare, 
A slender boy of graceful mien. 

And like a maiden fair ; 
He had the skill to comprehend 

What pleased his monarch best, 
And when that monarch's heart grew faint, 

He hushed its care to rest ; 
His lute (methought the gods had tuned 

Its wild, ecstatic thrill) 
Could soothe me in my fiercest moods, 

And bend me to its will ; 
He sang of beauty, fame, and love. 

Of victory and the brave ; 



66 BELLS AT EVENING. 

He sang as thou canst never sing ; 
No, thou shalt die a slave." 

"Hold, monarch, hold," the minstrel cried, 

With bloodless lip and cheek, 
" Thou art unjust to blame me thus ; 

My fettered Umbs are weak ; 
How can I wake my lute's proud strings 

To victory and the brave ? 
How can I sing the song thou lov'st 

When I am but a slave } 
Remove these cruel manacles, 

Unclasp this heavy chain. 
And let me breathe the blessed air 

Of freedom once again. 
I've seen thy colors o'er and o'er 

In many a battle wave ; 
I was thy pampered favorite then. 

But now I'm but thy slave. 
Thou drov'st me hence ; dost thou forget 

The wrong I bore from thee ? 
Did'st thou not brand me with a crime 

Of which my soul was free ? 
Though but a humble peasant boy, 

I ne'er purloined thy ring ; 
And now, a prisoner, and thy slave, 

I have no heart to sing. 
Why did'st thou bear me from the field 

Where sick and faint I lay ? 
For life and song in one brief hour 

Would both have passed away. 



SECULAR POEMS. 6 

Unknown to thee, above my head 

I saw thy dagger wave ; 
Far better thou had'st slain me then 

Than let me live thy slave." 

" Take heed, take heed," the monarch said 
" Play thou no prank with me, 

For by my sword and by my crown 
Thy skill shall tested be." 

His chains fell off, and o'er the lute 

His fingers quickly ran. 
And sang he of the glorious time 

When Richard led the van. 
" 'Tis he ! 'tis he ! " the monarch cried, 

And clasped him to his heart ; 
•' O minstrel, minstrel, thou art free. 

From me thou ne'er shalt part. 
Forgive me, boy, forgive thy liege, 

And grant the boon I crave ; 
Be thou my pampered favorite still, 

My minstrel, not my slave." 



THE SOLDIER'S GRAVE 

With starry flag and sable plume 
They bore him to his rest, 

And laid the green and fragrant sod 
Upon the warrior's breast ; 



62 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And slowly, softly, chanted they 

A requiem o'er the brave, 
Then left the watchers in the sky 

To guard the soldier's grave. 

He stood among the shattered ranks 

On that dread field afar, 
Where with the dawning Sabbath shone 

The panoply of war ; 
And foaming steeds dashed madly on 

With hot and fiery breath, 
Whose riders, e'er the twilight came, 

Were cold and still in death. 

The vulture to its ghastly prey 

Flew screaming through the air. 
Its cruel talons buried deep 

In many a victim there ; 
And, all that ne'er forgotten night. 

Sad wail and bitter groan 
Came struggling up from anguished hearts 

That broke and died alone. 

The soldier's grave — how sweet to think 

He saw his home once more ; 
And though he had but strength to reach 

The threshold of its door. 
The tender light of kindred eyes 

His soul a comfort gave ; 
He knew that love would gather flowers 

To deck the soldier's grave. 



SECULAR POEMS. 63 

The soldier's grave — disturb it not, 

But let one grateful tear 
Drop gently o'er the sacred urn 

Of him who slumbers here ; 
Touch not a leaf on yonder tree 

Whose branches o'er him wave ; 
By friendship's hand 'twas planted there 

To grace the soldier's grave. 

Though on no sculptured monument 

Is carved his well-earned fame, 
And only on a simple stone 

We read his age and name, — 
Yet they who saw him wield his sword 

With arm so strong and brave 
Will hallow with their hearts' best tears 

The comrade soldier's grave. 

Alas ! that noble, honest worth 

Should thus unhonored sleep, 
With only those who know it best 

Above its dust to weep, 
While vaunting, boasting, selfish pride. 

To cowardice a slave. 
Oft wears a wreath it never won. 

And shares a patriot's grave ! 

Yet in that great decisive day 

When right shall claim its own. 
When every thought and word and work 

Now hidden shall be known, — 



64 BELLS AT EVENING. 

When peace shall hush the clang of war. 
And love her standard wave, — 

Then, with the palms they died to win, 
Shall truth reward the brave. 



ONLY A LEAF. 



'TiS only a leaf, a withered leaf. 

But its story is fraught with pain ; 
'Twas the gift of one who is far away. 

And will never return again ; 
'Tis only a leaf, a withered leaf. 

And yet I prize it so. 
For it brings to my memory the brightest hour 

I ever on earth shall know. 

Ah, smile if you will ; your lot is cast 

Where pleasures around you twine. 
And your heart in its gladness can never know 

The grief that is breaking mine ; 
You have wealth and friends and a happy home. 

With never a thought of gloom ; 
But my life is cold, and its hopes are dead, 

And my heart is a living tomb. 

He was all I had in the world to love. 

He was all who cared for me ; 
And I watched his boat till I saw it sail 

Like a speck on the broad blue sea ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 65 

And there came a voice, 'twas a dirgelike voice, 

Out of the deep, dark wave ; 
And it told of one in a stranger land 

That would sleep in a stranger's grave. 

And I closed my eyes, and hid my face, 

And uttered a low, sad cry. 
As I laid me down on that lonely shore 

And prayed that I might die ; 
And though my prayer was a selfish prayer, 

I know it was all forgiven. 
For a beam shot down that illumed my soul 

From a pitying eye in heaven. 

'Twas only a leaf, a withered leaf, 

But I gaze on it o'er and o'er. 
And I think of a hand that held it first, 

A hand I shall clasp no more ; 
I know not how, but a message came, 

A message that briefly said, 
" Farewell, my own, it is over now ; 

The dream of our youth has fled." 

I pressed the scroll to my burning lips. 

And the leaf to my lonely breast 
That beat and throbbed with an aching throb. 

And was filled with a wild unrest ; 
And I still live on, like a captive bird 

That pines in its cage so fair. 
And longs for a breath from the orange groves, 

And thinks that its mate is there. 
S 



66 BELLS AT EVENING. 

'Tis only a leaf, a withered leaf, 

But its story is fraught with pain ; 
'Twas the gift of one who is far away, 

And will never return again ; 
He will never return ; but I feel ere long 

My spirit with his shall be, 
And the old-time love shall be sweeter there 

Where I know that he waits for me. 



CORA BELL. 

Where the brooklet from the hillside 

Laughs and sparkles on its way, 
And the downy crested robin 

Trills and carols all the day, — 
Where the springtime lingers longest, 

And the summer loves to dwell. 
Where the autumn fruits are sweetest, 

Bloomed our darling Cora Bell. 

Chorus : 

There was gladness in her footstep. 

And her song was like a spell ; 
Every birdling in the valley 

Knew the voice of Cora Bell. 

Now among the roses hiding, 

Now, in merry childish glee. 
Breathing strains our lips had taught her, 

Q, 'twas joy her form to see ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 67 

What a treasure heaven had lent us ! 

How we loved her none can tell ; 
Sweetest bud that ever blossomed 

Was our darling Cora Bell. 

Silent, voiceless, to our dwelling 

Came a stranger wan and pale, 
Laid his cold and icy fingers 

On our lily of the vale ; 
While we watched her drooping, fading, 

O'er our hearts a sorrow fell, 
And the zephyr, moaning, sighing, 

Called in vain our Cora Bell. 

Where the brooklet from the hillside 

Wanders on its pretty way, 
And the ringdove for its playmate 

Sits and pines the long, long day, — 
There we laid a broken casket, 

But the soul we know full well 
Through the gate of life has entered ; 

There we'll meet our Cora Bell. 



OUR BABY. 

You have never seen our baby, 

Never felt our Dottle's kiss 
From her pretty lips of coral, 

Or your heart would thrill with bliss; 



68 BELLS AT EVENING. 

You may think your own a treasure, 
And the fairest of your flowers ; 

Though she may be all you paint her, 
She's not half so sweet as ours. 

No, you never saw our baby. 

And her laugh you never heard ; 
She is winsome, she is playful, 

Ever cooing like a bird ; 
And her brow is white as snowflakes. 

Rosy dimples on her cheek ; 
And her brown eyes, bright as diamonds. 

How they sparkle when we speak ! 

O, you ought to see our baby ; 

She is growing every day ; 
Every moment she beguiles us 

With some artless, winning way ; 
And we know the angels guard her, 

And a loving watch they keep ; 
And we fancy 'tis their whisper 

Makes her smile when fast asleep. 

O, you should have seen our baby 

Only just an hour ago, 
Dancing in our arms so lightly 

While her face was all aglow ; 
While her little chubby fingers 

Tried to catch a sunlit ray 
As it darted through the window, 

And as quickly ran away. 



SECULAR POEMS. 69 

Would you like to see our baby ? 

Like a lily she is fair ; 
Would you throw your arms around her ? 

Would you kneel with us in prayer 
That the God of love and mercy 

Would protect her for our sake ? 
For should aught betide our darling, 

I, am sure our hearts would break. 

Did you say, " God bless our baby ? " 

How we thank you for the word ; 
And the best and purest feelings 

In our bosoms you have stirred ; 
Did you say, " God keep our baby ? " 

We'll remember you for this, 
And our Dottie, when she sees you, 

Will reward you with a kiss. 



THE SOLDIER'S REVERIE. 

How the ever fleeting seasons 

Like an arrow speed away ! 
What ! another year departed. 

And another floral day ! 
Wheel my chair beside the window. 

That my eyes may look once more 
On the few surviving comrades 

Who will pass my cottage door. 



70 BELLS AT EVENING. 

They are coming in the distance, 

With a slow and measured tread ; 
They are coming with their garlands 

For our country's hallowed dead ; 
And how oft I sit and wonder, 

When my form entombed shall be, 
If, among those noble veterans, 

There'll be one to care for me! 

In the foremost of the battle, 

'Mid the scream of shot and shell, 
Side by side we fought together 

For the flag we loved so well ; 
But those dreadful scenes are over. 

And their gloom has passed away ; 
There's no North nor South, but Union, 

In our native land to-day. 

O that sound of martial music ! 

How it thrills me with its strain. 
Bringing back my soldier courage 

And my patriot pride again ! 
Though the sands of life are ebbing, 

And I have not long to stay. 
Yet I love the sacred memories 

Of this grand Memorial Day. 

When the march of life is ending, 
And its closing hour draws near, 

When before our great Commander 
We are summoned to appear, — 



Secular pojems. f\ 

To the roll-call that shall echo 
Like a trumpet through the sky, 

May we each of us be ready 
With the answer, " Here am L" 



THE HEART. 

The heart ! the heart ! O wound it not, 

That fond yet fragile thing ; 
Whose tendrils, like the clustering vine. 

Around thine own would cling. 

Though sunny beams may o'er thee play, 
And smiles thy lip may wreathe. 

And tender blossoms, pure and white, 
Their dewy fragrance breathe, — 

Thou canst not tell in after years 

How dark thy fate may be ; 
Then spurn thou not the trusting heart 

That warmly beats for thee. 

The heart ! the heart ! O crush it not ; 

'Tis but a fragile thing ; 
An altered look, a chilling word, 

Might break its sweetest string. 

When, one by one, thy treasured hopes 
Like withered leaves shall fall, 

Then wilt thou mourn, alas, too late, 
What tears can ne'er recall. 



72 BELLS AT EVENING. 

TWILIGHT HOUR. 

Voice of the twilight hour, 

How sweet is thy sound to me ! 
For my soul is entranced by thy soothing power. 

And its sorrows are lost in thee ; 
Thou art heard in the trembling strings 

Of the harp which the breezes wake ; 
In the bird, as her farewell note she sings 
To the golden hues which the sunset flings 

O'er the breast of the silver lake. 



THEY ARE GONE. 

They are gone, those bright and blissful hours 
When the soft wind laughed 'mid the greenwood 

bowers, 
And the night bird caroled her pensive lay 
As faded the crimson tints of day ; 

And the dewdrops came at the evening's close 
To sleep on the breast of the mountain rose ; 
They are gone ; those blissful hours are past. 
And a snow-white robe on the earth is cast. 

And O, when our friends beloved have fled 
To the cold, cold mansions of the dead, 
Like the fragrant flowers may we cease to bloom. 
And sleep with them in the peaceful tomb. 



SECULAR POEMS. 73 



SPEAK NOT HARSHLY. 

Speak not harshly when reproving 
Those from duty's path who stray ; 

If we would reclaim the erring, 
Kindness must each action sway. 

Speak not harshly to the wayward ; — 
Win their confidence — their love ; 

They will feel how pure the motive 
That hath led us to reprove. 

Speak not harshly to the stranger. 
Though he comes in humble guise ; 

Think how slight a thing would kindle 
Gladness in a stranger's eyes. 

Speak not harshly to the felon. 
Though like adamant his heart ; 

Touch one chord of fond affection. 
And the scalding tear may start. 

Speak not harshly to the orphan, 
He has borne of grief his share ; 

Add not to his heavy burden, 
Add not to corroding care. 

Speak not harshly, was the precept 
Which to man the Saviour taught ; — 

May that precept ever guide us — 
Gentle words will cost us naught. 



74 BELLS AT EVENING. 



MAMMA'S LULLABY. 

Tired, so tired, my baby, thou art. 
Beautiful sunbeam, the joy of my heart ; 
Tired, so tired, but why dost thou weep ? 
Mamma will rock thee and sing thee to sleep ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, hush thee to rest, 
Pillowed so gently and warm on my breast ; 
Love o'er thy cradle a vigil will keep. 
Mamma will rock thee and sing thee to sleep. 

Dear little baby, so lovely and fair. 
Sweet Easter lily, my treasure and care. 
Mamma will rock thee through all the long hours, 
Mamma will sing thee of fairies and flowers ; 
What though the twilight is stealing away 
All the young birdlings that carol to-day ? 
What though the shadows around thee may 

creep ? 
Mamma will rock thee and sing thee to sleep. 

Hide 'neath their lashes those pretty blue eyes, 
Till in its splendor the morning shall rise ; 
Angels above thee their bright watches keep ; 
Mamma will rock thee and sing thee to sleep ; 
Lullaby, lullaby, hush thee to rest. 
Tenderly guarded and fondly caressed ; 
Child of affection so hallowed and deep, 
Mamma will rock thee and sing thee to sleep. 



SECULAR POEMS. 75 

LUCY'S AND EMMA'S CONQUEST. 

Lucy and Emma, two bright little girls, 

With brown, glossy ringlets and teeth white as 

pearls, 
Stood watching a butterfly busy at play 
Among the sweet clover that grew in their way. 
Along a green meadow that led to their home, 
And where, after school, 'twas their custom to 

roam. 
The school was just out, and the teacher had said 
To Lucy and Emma, a hand on each head, 
" My children, your parents to-night you must tell 
How happy I am you are learning so well ; 
And if you continue I am sure you will be 
A credit to them and an honor to me." 
" We thank you," said Lucy, " both Emma and I ; 
We hope to be teachers like you by and by ; 
But, sir, you'll not think we are going to tease 
If we ask you to write in a note, if you please, 
What you told us just now about being so good ; 
'Twould look better written ; don't you think it 

would } 
Besides, 'twould be something our parents could 

keep, 
And read it together when we were asleep." 
" I'll write it with pleasure," the teacher replied, 
" I am glad my remark did not waken your pride ; 
And now, in a word, this advice I will give, 
Remember it, children, as long as you live. 



76 BELLS AT EVENING. 

E'en though you come down to life's short winter 

days, — 
Do right for the sake of the right, not for praise." 
The note was concluded, directed, and sealed ; 
A sweet satisfaction their faces revealed. 
Not lost on the teacher, who inwardly prayed 
That these dear little lambs in the fold might be 

stayed 
Where the eyes of the Shepherd a watch ever 

keep, 
The Shepherd who laid down his life for the 

sheep. 

And now to the meadow these bright little girls 
Went dancing, and skipping, and shaking their 

curls, 
And thinking of all their dear parents would say, 
Till they came to the butterfly busy at play. 
" O Lucy," cried Emma, " did ever you see 
Such beautiful wings ? Won't you catch him for 

me?" 
"O, no," answered Lucy; "the poor, helpless 

thing 
Would die in your hand if you crippled his wing ; 
Why, not for the world would I catch him for you ; 
Let's watch him a moment and see what he'll do." 

Will Blair and Frank Ellis, two boys from the 

school. 
Who boasted so oft that they ne'er kept a rule. 



SECULAR POEMS. 77 

Sprang over the fence, and, on mischief intent. 
Toward Lucy and Emma their footsteps they 

bent. 
Their coming was seen, but the girls never 

stirred, 
Though they knew very well all they said had 

been heard. 
" So, so, we have found you," cried Will with a 

sneer ; 
" What's this you are guarding so carefully here ? 
Frank, lend me your kerchief ; but stay, never 

mind, 
An easier way to entrap him I'll find." 
" Please, Willie," said Lucy, her mild, pleading 

eyes 
As soft in their light as the blue ether skies, 
" Please, Willie, don't harm that poor innocent 

thing. 
But leave him to sport on his beautiful wing ; 
For if you should hurt him how cruel 'twould be, 
And how you would pain sister Emma and me ; 
She is talking to Frank ; there's a blush on his 

cheek ; 
And there's good in your heart ; let me just hear 

you speak. 
And say you will never be naughty again, 
But always obey our kind teacher, and then 
How happy you'll make us ; come. Will, won't 

you try ? " 
The boy hung his head, but he could not reply ; 



78 BELLS AT EVENING. 

He was conquered, subdued, and resolved from 

that day 
To lead a new life and to find the good way ; 
While Frank, whom the kindness of Emma had 

won, 
Was equally sorry for what he had done. 
And promised henceforth to be honest and true, 
And love in his heart everyone that he knew. 

The butterfly left, for his mission was o'er ; 
They searched through the clover, but saw him 

no more ; 
The girls hastened home to their parents, and then 
Their note was read over and over again ; 
The teacher dropped in while they sat at their 

tea; 
By parents and children right welcome was he ; 
He sat down among them, delighted to share 
The real enjoyment that greeted him there. 

It happened, years after, when Willie and Frank, 
Whose names were enrolled in the school's high- 
est rank, 
Had finished their studies, and then settled down 
Among the most worthy young men of the town — 
It happened, we say, that two bright, merry girls 
With brown, glossy ringlets, and teeth white as 

pearls. 
Our Lucy and Emma, were chosen their wives, 
To cherish and love for the rest of their lives. 



SECULAR POEMS. 79 

[Written in answer to the question, Do you love children ?] 

DO YOU LOVE CHILDREN ? 

Love the children ? What a question ! 

Cold indeed the heart must be 
That can turn without emotion 

From their laughter gushing free ; 
Yes, with all my heart I love them ; 

Bless the children, every one ! 
I can be a child among them, 

And enjoy their freaks and fun. 

Quick, impulsive, and confiding. 

Innocent without disguise, 
Faces all aglow with pleasure. 

Mischief dancing in their eyes — ^ 
In my garden of affection 

They will share the greenest spot ; 
And I say without compunction, 

Woe to those who love them not ! 

They are buds of hope and promise, 

Blessed by Him whose name is Love ; 
Lent us here to train and nourish 

For a better life above ; 
Tender plants by angels guarded, 

Clinging vines the children are ; 
Jewels in our hearts to glisten, 

Precioiis treasures, O how fair! 



80 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Parents, on your own example 

That your children daily see, 
On your patient, careful training, 

Rests their future destiny ; 
Though responsible for service, 

God will surely bring you through ; 
Go to Him for strength and guidance ; 

He is wiser far than you. 

Are your children sometimes wayward ? 

Teachers, are your scholars wild ? 
Do not blame them, but remember 

Each of you was once a child ; 
Learn to govern with discretion. 

Govern with a loving hand ; 
Ne'er correct them in your anger, 

Learn with mildness to command. 

Do not crush their tender feelings ; 

Win their confidence, their trust ; 
Treat them kindly, and be always 

Merciful as well as just ; 
Pastors, don't forget the children ; 

They are looking up to you ; 
By a word of admonition. 

There is much that you can do. 

O how many are neglected ! 

And your sympathy they claim ; 
Wretchedness their sole companion. 

Home to them is but a name ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 81 

Seek them out, and, when you find them, 
Show their feet the narrow way ; 

Feed their souls and clothe their bodies ; 
All you give the Lord will pay. 

Love the children ? I can never, 

Never pass them in the street 
But my every pulse awaking 

Thrills with love to all I meet ; 
I have heard the children singing 

When my heart was lone and sad ; 
I have heard them in the distance, 

And their music made me glad. 

But their voices cheer and charm me 
In the Sabbath homes they love ; 

And I think they will be sweetest 
In the saintly choirs above. 



TWILIGHT. 

O TWILIGHT ! ever welcome hour. 
That by a strange, mysterious power 
Brings back the past, and bids me feel 
Its happy sunshine o'er me steal. 
Till all the buds and blossoms fair 
That memory's garland used to bear 
Are fresh and blooming as they seemed 
When first my heart of friendship dreamed. 
O twilight ! let me dream once more. 
Dream all my early pleasures o'er, 



82 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And give me, just a little while, 

The earnest clasp, the heart-warm smile. 

Of those whose dust I hallow yet, 

Of those too sacred to forget. 



CONFIDENCE. 



The trust another hath reposed in thee 

Is sacred as thy life, whate'er it be ; 

And in the promise which thy lips have given. 

If thou shalt fail, thou wilt be judged of Heaven. 

Betray it not, nor to thy interest use 

What thou hast heard, nor confidence abuse ; 

However trivial, by a look or tone 

Betray it not ; 'twas for thine ear alone ; 

Forget or hide it in thy inmost heart ; 

Do anything but act the cruel part 

To wrong thy friend, who, seeking thy relief. 

Has come, and in the bitterness of grief 

Would pillow on thy breast an aching brow. 

And whisper all, yea, e'en the broken vow 

Of recreant love, young hope forever crushed. 

Its lamp gone out, its tender music hushed. 

What ! canst thou listen and a traitor be. 

Revealing what hath been revealed to thee 

In strictest faith ? Then thou art not sincere, 

And all to trust and counsel thee should fear. 

It was a secret in a cloister told. 

And should be guarded like a purse of gold. 



SECULAR POEMS. 83 

Not thine, but in thy keeping, and no right 

Hast thou to ope or bring it to the light, 

Nor take one coin, though hundreds thou shouldst 

gain; 
As thou receivest it let it still remain. 
So guard thy trust, and in thy heart's deep cell, 
Untold, unheard, let every secret dwell. 
There be the urn where others' tears may fall, 
And love keep faithful vigil o'er them all. 
And thou shalt live a comfort in thy day, 
And scatter flowers o'er many a thorny way. 



A SONG. 



COME, if thou art true to me. 
If yet thou lov'st me well. 

And meet me at our trysting place 

Within the mossy dell ; 
Yes, meet me as when first we met 

Beneath a summer sky, 
Long, long before our lips had learned 

That cruel word, good-bye. 

There's not a rose on yonder bush. 
Nor flower we used to twine ; 

The birds have left that rural spot ; 
Perhaps the fault is mine ; 

1 know my looks were cold and stern, 

A frown was on my brow ; 



84 BELLS AT EVENING. 

But I regret that fatal hour ; 
Wilt thou forgive me now ? 

O come, and let us plight once more 

The faith of other years, 
And bathe each link of sacred love 

In sweet repentant tears ; 
Yet not one shadow would I cast 

Around thy peerless name ; 
Mine, mine the wrong ; I'll bear it all. 

And I deserve the blame. 



SEEKING FOR VIOLETS. 

Roaming all day in the meadow so green. 

Seeking for violets, art thou, my queen ? 

Where have you hid them ? Down deep in your 

heart ? 
Why are you blushing ? And why do you start ? 
Seeking for violets ? When do they grow ? 
Think you to find them in summer ? No, no ; 
Not such a thought ever entered your head, 
Nor is there a truth in a word you have said. 

Seeking for violets ? happy excuse 
Thus to avoid me ; and yet, 'tis no use ; 
Cupid, I fancy, has lent to these hours 
Something more pleasant than searching for 
flowers ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 85 

What is that something, you shy little fay ? 
Naught in your looks will the secret betray ; 
Ah, but you wish me, and that I can trace 
Plainly enough in each line of your face, 
Out on the ocean, or some other place. 

Merry your laugh as a clear ringing bell ; 
Laugh with the lightest ; 'tis all very well ; 
Only be candid, for I should regret 
If I should find you a heartless coquet ; 
Is there another more favored than I ? 
One who is dearer ? Then why not reply? 
If your affections have wandered away. 
Not for the world would I ask you to stay. 

No, it were better to part with you here 
Seeking for violets all the long year ; 
Better to bless you, and leave you alone 
Seeking for violets withered and strown ; 
What do you ask as you whisper my name ? 
Will I forgive and receive you again ? 
Love you as fondly and true as of yore ? 
Yes, and more fondly than ever before. 

If in the future you promise to be 
Loving and constant and faithful to me. 
Then I will bury this scene with the past ; 
Over its memory a veil will I cast. 
Seeking for violets ? — daisies, I mean ; 
Here are the fairest that ever were seen ; 



86 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Take the sweet nosegay ; 'twas gathered for you ; 
Come, I will show you the spot where they grew, 
Down where I met you one morn in the lane ; 
Say, were you seeking for violets then ? 



TO BESSIE. 



What disturbed thee, pretty one, 
Woke thee e'er thy dream was done? 
Did some quick and sudden start 
Rouse the pulses of thy heart ? 
Hush thee, darling, sleep once more. 
Dream the happy vision o'er ; 
Dream as only dreams can be 
In thy guileless infancy. 

There are lakes that murmur low 

* Neath the calm cerulean skies. 
Where the sweetest lilies grow. 

Where their beauty never dies ; 
Odors from their leaves so fair 

Come across the jasper sea ; 
Balm and music fill the air. 

Felt and heard alone by thee. 

Angel forms, to whom 'tis given 
To behold our Father's face, 

And perform his will in heaven, 
Round thy cradle have their place ; 



SECULAR POEMS. 87 

' Tis their pinions fan thy brow ; 
Hush thee, dariing, slumber now ; 
Sleep as only sleep can be 
In thy guileless infancy. 

Thou art smiling, pretty one ; 
Ah, 'tis well ; thy dream is done ; 
Did thy spirit leave its home 
For a little while to roam 
Where the chime of Eden's bells 
On the breeze forever swells ? 
Did'st thou catch some thrilling air 
From the children singing there ? 

Thou art smiling, pretty one ; 
Yes, thy halcyon dream is done ; 
Other thoughts thy mind employ, 
Other scenes of mirth and joy 
Call thee now from sleep away ; 
Just begun thy life's young day ; 
Bright as days can only be 
In thy guileless infancy. 

Darling Bessie, He whose eye 
Numbers all the stars on high, 
Counts the waves upon the sea, 
Watcheth o'er and loveth thee ; 
And amid this world of ours 
Thou wilt gather buds and flowers, 
Sweet as flowers can only be 
In thy guileless infancy. 



88 



BELLS AT EVENING. 



When from childhood thou art grown, 
When thine artless years have flown, 
May the prayer once learned by thee 
Kneeling at a mother's knee, 
And the words thy father said 
When he laid thy infant head 
On his breast with fondest love. 
Lead thy soul to things above. 




RELIGIOUS POEMS. 



TRIAL OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM. 

'TWAS past the hour for sacrifice ; and now 
The aged patriarch, leaning on his staff, 
Stood in the doorway of his tent, and watched 
The gayly painted clouds which here and there 
Were floating in the quiet evening sky, 
In strange fantastic forms, till, brushed away 
By the light breath of the cool zephyr's wing, 
They melted into air, and left the moon 
Sole monarch of a train of radiant stars. 
The bright attendants of her mighty reign. 
And forth in brilliant majesty she came, 
Touched with her silvery wand the tiny flowers, 
And bade them fold their leaves, and lay their 

heads 
Upon the bosom of their mother earth. 

His boy came bounding quickly to his side, 
Like a young fawn, and caught his father's hand, 
And drew him down, and kissed his furrowed 

cheek — 
His boy, his darling, shall we say his pride, 
Of whom the King of all the world had said 
In him and in his seed, in after years, 



90 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 
And as the old man held him to his heart, 
And looked into the depth of his dark eyes, 
That seemed so like his mother's in her youth. 
His thoughts went backward to the long ago, 
When, in his native country far away, 
He wooed the maiden who became his wife. 
And Sarah loved him yet ; the lapse of years 
Had strengthened and renewed her early vows. 
They err who tell us love is all a dream, 
And warn the young to fly its dangerous power ; 
'Tis not a dream ; but, constant, true, sublime, 
Where once its germ is planted in the soul, 
'Twill, like the evergreen, bloom on and on ; 
For love is born of heaven, and cannot die. 

" Isaac, my son," the doting father said, 

" Long since thy mother to her couch hath gone, 

And thou, methinks, hast quite o'erstepped thy 

bounds. 
Not thine the fault, but mine ; and now, good 

night." 
How beautiful he was ! how graceful he 
In every movement as he tripped away ! 
His merry laugh rang out so cheerily. 
The birds awoke and started from their nests 
As if they feared a rival in their song. 
Still Abraham mused on the ways of God ; 
He could not solve, nor was it his to know. 
Almighty wisdom, but to trust and live. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 91 

As he had done, by faith and not by sight. 

The Lord had promised that from him should 

spring 
A mighty nation, numerous as the stars, 
And numberless as sands upon the shore, 
And that the goodly land in which he dwelt 
They should possess ; the promise he believed 
Implicitly ; he knew 'twould come to pass, 
For unto him the word of God was law. 

And now he slept ; and in a vision came 

A voice that called him. " Abraham," it said, 

" Take now thine only son whom thou dost love, 

The idol of thy heart, and offer him 

As a burnt offering in Moriah's land, 

Upon a mountain I will tell thee of." 

Did love rebel ? Did faith refuse to yield 

In this sore trial, most severe of all, 

Obedience to its author and its God ? 

Did Abraham question His supreme command. 

Who has the right to govern as He will ? 

Morn oped her golden eye, tinged with her blush 
The eastern hills, and sent her dewy smile 
O'er groves of cedar, and the lovely vales 
Bathed in her light and sang aloud for joy. 
The patriarch rose ; a secret on his mind. 
Which e'en to Sarah he might not betray ; 
He had received a message from the Lord, 
And he must go ; he dared not tell her more ; 



92 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Then with the lad, and with his two young men 
As their attendants, Abraham left his home. 
For two long days they journeyed, and the third 
He lifted up his eyes and saw the place ; 
Bade his young men abide and wait him there ; 
He and the lad would yonder go, he said, 
And worship, and return to them again. 
Silent their walk, till Isaac wondering cried, 
"Behold the wood and fire, but where the 

lamb ? " 
To whom the father answered, " All is well, 
My son ; God will provide Himself a lamb." 
And so together to the mount they came ; 
And Abraham built an altar to the Lord. 
And when the boy looked on with sudden fear. 
And turned those mournful, pleading eyes to his, 
He waited but to clasp him to his breast ; 
Then firmly bound with cords those tender limbs, 
And on the altar laid the sacrifice. 
O what a moment ! Will he stand the test ? 
Behold the knife ; its edge is keen and sure ; 
See how it glitters as the sunlight falls ; 
His arm is raised ; but, ere the blade descends. 
His hand is stayed ; God calls him out of heaven : 
" Touch not the lad ; forbear to do him harm ; 
For now indeed I know thou lovest me. 
Since thou hast not withheld thine only son. 
But wouldst have offered him at my command." 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 93 

THE MEETING OF JACOB AND JOSEPH. 

All Egypt's land was parched, the scorching 

beams 
Fell with relentless heat upon the soil, 
And every herb was withered, and the leaves 
Dropped from the boughs that could no longer hold 
Their blighted forms, and sighing, let them go ; 
The breeze that from the waters of the Nile 
Played with the reeds that grew along its banks 
Was listless now, and nature groanmg saw 
On every plant and every blade of grass 
Dearth written, for the famine yet was sore. 
What stirred the heart of Egypt's governor ? 
Had that illumination of the soul. 
That gift of faith, which God alone transmits, 
Confirmed the startling truth so oft revealed, 
That he who most a doting father loved, 
And whom his envious brethren hated most, 
He whom they sold and dipped his coat in blood, 
And scrupled not to wring their parent's heart 
With the dark falsehood of his Joseph's death, 
That he, the victim of malicious wrong. 
The injured tenant of a prison cell, 
Wasting his years in solitude and grief, 
Then from a dungeon brought, and clothed in 

power 
Till next to Egypt's potentate he stood. 
Was working out the grand design of Heaven — 
Was thither sent by agency divine 



94 BELLS AT EVENING. 

To guard a mighty nation's destiny ? 
All this and more had moved him ; he had seen 
His brethren ; they had come to purchase food ; 
For Juda's fields were wasted by the scourge 
Of that dread famine, and her fruitless vales 
No more were lovely ; all her groves of palm 
Bent their proud heads if haply they might catch 
One cooling drop from the capricious clouds 
That mocked their thirst and vanished like the dew. 
And Jacob's sons arose ; for he had said, 
"Why look ye on each other? I have heard 
That there is corn in Egypt ; get ye down, 
And buy for us, our wives and little ones, 
That thus we may survive and perish not ; 
Go, all of you but one ; him I retain. 
The youngest born, left motherless at birth ; 
My fair-haired Benjamin shall not go forth, 
Lest, like his brother, he return no more. 
And ye who robbed me of the son I loved 
Again bereave me, and your second wound 
Bring my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave." 

Before the imperious ruler, proudly stern. 
Whose quick perception noted every face. 
They stood appalled, and bowed them to the earth ; 
Yea, bowed themselves as in his boyhood dreams 
He saw their sheaves obeisance make to his. 
Rude were his words, denouncing them as spies ; 
And then, in softer tone and milder mood, 
He questioned of their parentage and home ; 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 95 

They knew him not, nor guessed by whose com- 
mand 
Their sacks were laden and their gold replaced. 
Twice had they come ; but now his eyes beheld 
His brother Benjamin, his mother's son, 
The child he once had dandled on his knee, 
And every sleeping passion of his soul 
Roused in a moment, and his every nerve, 
Strained to its utmost tension, would have burst 
But for the tears that he made haste to shed. 
O Time, whose finger doth erase the bloom 
From beauty's cheek, and with thy winter frost 
Sprinkle the locks of manhood till their hue 
Is changed to whiteness, and the eye grows dim, 
And the sweet sounds of merriment and joy 
Are heard but as the echoes of the past — 
Thank God ! there yet is left untouched by thee 
One little spot, one shrine where feeling dwells, 
Immortal feeling, whose Promethean spark 
An infant's breath might kindle to a flame. 

But see ! at Jacob's tent the panting steeds 
That bring his sons, returned, and with good news; 
Who shall be first to break it ? can their sire 
Bear the recital ? Judah, go thou first ; 
Thy plea, so masterly, hath done it all ; 
Take Benjamin, to whom no harm has come. 
And tell thy father Joseph is alive ; 
Tell him— but stay, be guarded of thy speech, 
Lest, if the heart too suddenly be filled 



96 BELLS AT EVENING. 

With unexpected joy, its cords may break. 
The old man heard as if believing not, 
Till One who stood upon the topmost round 
Of that great ladder reaching up to heaven. 
That he beheld at Bethel while he slept. 
Breathed on his soul, and all its strength revived, 
And in the fullness of his heart he cried, 
•* Joseph, my son Joseph, is yet alive ; 
I will go down and see him ere I die." 

The Nile flowed sluggishly, not as of yore 
When the glad waves caught the delicious breath 
Of fragrant winds that floated o'er the tide, 
And busy laborers reaped their harvest grain ; 
All wore the gloom of desolation now. 
And five long years of famine yet remained. 
The day was sultry with its first gray dawn ; 
Israel awoke, for they had stopped at night, 
And laid them down to rest upon the plains. 
And now once more the caravan moved on ; 
And as the shadow of the sun at noon 
Fell on the dial, they neared the journey's end. 
Who in his chariot doth so swiftly ride ? 
And now he reins his coursers, now alights, 
Looks round him with a fond, expectant gaze, 
And steps aside for one short interval 
To calm his thoughts and still his heart 's wild throb; 
Yonder his father comes ; O Heaven ! 'tis he ! 
That waving beard white as the driven snow, 
Unshorn as when with soft, caressing hand 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 97 

He stroked it, and went forth, nor came again 

To bear the tidings he was sent to glean — 

Let the famed artist on his canvas draw 

That matchless scene and paint it to the world ; 

And thou, O bard, if words thou canst command, 

Speak with impassioned eloquence, and tell 

The hope, the joy, the ecstasy, that crowned 

A meeting which no parallel can trace, 

A meeting that dispelled a cloud of years. 

And for a single moment lent to both 

A vision of the heavenly Paradise. 

See how he weeps upon his father's neck, 

And how that father clasps him to his heart 

As if he feared that he again might lose 

The treasure he believed the grave had won ; 

O that was pathos ; that undying love 

Who can recall, or from the inspired page, 

God's sacred word, can read that brief account, 

So touching and so sweetly beautiful, 

Nor feel one tender yearning of the soul 

To reach for something purer than is found 

Among the gewgaws of a flattering world ? 

Before the king was Joseph's father brought, 
King Pharaoh, who rejoiced and gave him cheer. 
And, sitting down beside him, many things 
Did he relate of Joseph's bright career, 
And how the land of Egypt he had saved 
By wisdom not his own but of the Lord ; 
And then of Jacob asked, " How old art thou ? " 
7 



98 BELLS AT EVENING. 

To whom the noble patriarch replied, 

" The days that mark my life of pilgrimage, 

Evil and few as they indeed have been. 

Nor have they to my fathers yet attained, 

A hundred years and thirty number now ; " 

And Pharaoh blessed him, and a promise gave 

Of an inheritance, a goodly place 

That he and his might ever call their own, 

To dwell therein, and rear their flocks and herds. 

And Joseph bade his brethren be content. 

For all was past, and all had been forgiven ; 

And so he dwelt with them for many years, 

Nourished his father till his latest hour, 

And saw him laid within Machpelah's tomb. 



SAMSON WITH THE PHILISTINES. 

" Down with the Hebrew ! " From the infuriate 

crowds 
That like a whirlwind madly urged their way 
Through Gaza's streets, a deafening shout arose ; 
" Down with the Hebrew, Samson ! he is cursed ; 
Dagon, our God, hath cursed him and his race." 
" Hold !" cried a voice in loud, imperious tones, 
♦• Hold ! I command you let this tumult cease 
Till I, your chief, Altharius, bid you speak ; 
Then glut your vengeance to your heart's con- 
tent; 
Revile, insult, mock your defenseless foe, 
Till he shall learn how sweet it is to feel 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 99 

The poisoned arrow of remorseless hate. 

Behold the lion tamed and like a lamb ; 

No need of bonds but to prevent all harm 

Against himself; I have secured him thus. 

For from their sockets must his eyes be torn, 

Lest peradventure other foxes come 

With brands of fire and burn our harvest fields. 

He like a pestilence hath scourged our land, 

Laid waste our cities, robbed us of our homes, 

And slain his thousands in a single day ; 

But where his prowess now? Where did it lie? 

Fool to unlock a secret he had kept 

Through all his life, and might have kept it still ! 

Fool to confide in her who, false as fair, 

Sought only to betray his trust for gold ! 

But she had served our purpose, and 'tis well ; 

She was the fowler ; we the prey have won. 

Not, like the hungry vulture, to devour. 

But save alive ; death were a boon too great 

For him to ask at a Philistine's hand ; 

But let him, like the eagle from the sun 

Hurled by a shaft that wounds no vital part, 

Beat his proud wings against his prison bars. 

Till hope's last beam expires and all is dark. 

Now to my task ; such mercy will I show 

As hath been shown by him to me and mine. 

Ah, how he struggles ! but he must not faint ; 

Quick ! bathe his temples, bring him goodly wine, 

Choice wine from Kisma, cooled in Caspian snow ; 

He shall not faint ; far greater our revenge 



100 BELLS AT EVENING. 

To see him tortured to his utmost power, 

Yet, nerved by stimulants and conscious still, 

To see him writhe, half frantic with his pain, 

Then laugh his misery to bitter scorn. 

O say, what is it that doth o'er me creep. 

So like a venom coiling in my veins ? 

Have I not from my boyhood looked on blood ? 

Was I not cradled in the arms of war ? 

But this — ah me ! not that I pity him, 

But 'tis a deed at which my soul revolts ; 

Would it were past ; but half is yet to do ; 

Would it were past ; but shall I falter? No ; 

I'll finish, though my hands were paralyzed. 

There, I have done ; and shall I more inflict ? 

For I am sated, sickened, horrified 

With this dread scene. Stand back and let me 

forth ; 
Nay, touch him not ; are ye men or fiends ? 
Guards, bear him hence ; and if perchance there 

come 
A pitying friend, or one of nearer kin. 
Ye shall not hinder such, but let them pass 
And, as they will, relieve and succor him." 

The crowd had gone ; their hateful, mocking 

sounds 
Of rude and impious mirth were heard no more, 
And, save the measured tramp along the court 
Of sentinels whose dull monotony 
Broke ever and anon upon the ear. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 101 

'Twas still. O what a boon from Israel's God, 
E'en this to that poor, lonely, suffering one. 
Who, faint, exhausted by the sudden shock 
Of twofold anguish, prayed that death might 

come, 
Kind, gentle death, and let his spirit forth 
Into the region of the vast unknown ! 
Tossing he lay ; none came to slake his thirst ; 
His quivering eyelids burned and throbbed with 

pain 
Till reason sometimes trembled on its throne ; 
And she whose hand had shorn his wavy locks, 
And wove the network of deceit and guile 
In whose dark meshes he was caught at last — 
Where was she then? O when with victory 

crowned 
He sought his home, rich with the spoils of war, 
Or in the twilight's gloaming thither came. 
How was he wont with lighter step to move, 
And heart more buoyant, while her siren voice 
Poured out its music, and his soul drank in 
Its every tone as some delicious draught 
Too pure for earth and only made for heaven ! 
Where was she then, whose lightest touch could 

soothe 
His restless moanings, and whose softest word 
Could lull him to a sweet forgetfulness ? 

Delilah, false Delilah, what ! asleep ? 
Beneath the silken folds of thine own couch 



102 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Canst thou repose ? dost think the dove would rest 
If aught of danger brooded o'er her mate ? 
Or, robbed of him, would she not pine and die? 
She hath what thou hast not — a changeless love ; 
Thou didst not love, else thou hadst loyal been ; 
Was not thy husband's fate in thine own hands ? 
Not his, but thine, the falsehood that must be 
A skeleton through all thy after years. 
Thou didst not love, else thou hadst never played 
The craven part and bartered love for gold ; 
Love hides its secret with a miser's care ; 
It wounds to heal, but never to betray. 

And now awoke the morn ; the playful winds 
Were toying with the leaves and jessamine stems, 
Curling the wavelets on the limpid streams, 
Or stealing nectar from the dewy cups 
Of the young virgin lilies as they passed. 
Time, and the hand that lifteth from the ground 
The trembling sparrow fallen from its bough. 
The balm of health to Samson had restored ; 
Long days had intervened, and weary nights. 
Not lonely like the first, for friends were there ; 
And tottering age, that nursed him when a babe, 
Its tender, sympathizing tears had shed 
So lovingly upon his wasted cheek. 
That half his burden seemed already gone ; 
And waking from his sleep on that sweet morn. 
He rose, and leaning on a soldier's arm. 
Stood in the outer court where he was led. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 103 

His hair had grown ; he knew it ; but, his eyes — 

Would they return ? would he again behold 

Or sun or moon or stars or human face ? 

O Heaven ! in all our catalogue of woes 

Can there be one that so afflicts the mind 

And rends the very fibers of the heart, 

Like that which comes when in our riper years 

We lose, and by a single stroke of Thine, 

That sense which of all others most we prize, 

That glorious avenue through which we range 

The fields of science, poesy, and art, 

And trace Thee in Thy excellence divine 

Where Thou hast left Thy name in living light 

On truth's immortal page. Thy Holy Book? 

O to be left at midday in the dark ! 

To wander on and on in moonless night ! 

To know the windows of the soul are closed. 

And closed till opened in eternity ! 

They who have felt can tell how deep the gloom ; 

And only they who in their souls have learned 

To walk by faith, and lean on God for help, 

To such a lot can e'er be reconciled. 

The chief, Altharius, had a feast proclaimed, 

A royal feast to Dagon on that day, 

In honor of his signal victory 

In Samson's capture. Gaza's streets again 

Were vocal with the shouts of revelry ; 

Upon the housetop where the feast was held, 

Philistia's sons were gathered ; young and old, 



104 BELLS AT EVENING. 

In motley groups, were walking to and fro, 
Whiling the hours in thoughtless merriment. 
Loud peals of laughter rose, and then a call 
That Samson should be brought to make them 

sport ; 
The message came, he heard, and bowed his head, 
Then, with a look of triumph in his face. 
Was borne to where that reckless multitude 
Deemed his affliction but an idle jest ; 
Scoffed at, he came, and then, with cruel taunt. 
Mocking, they bade him lead them in the dance. 
So passed the time; but Samson's hour crew near; 
He leaned against the pillars ; all his hopes 
Were clustering around a single thought ; 
To one he said, " Put thou my hand on these, 
For I would know their size ; and tell thou me. 
Are these the pillars where the building rests ? " 
They left him to himself ; he stood alone, 
And, lifting up his sightless orbs, he said, 
" O Thou who didst behold me at my birth, 
God of my fathers, hear my prayer this once ; 
Lo, I am stricken down, helpless and blind ; 
Thy mighty works are hidden from me now ; 
The smiling meadow and the vineclad hill 
And spicy grove are now as things that were ; 
I joy no more in that which charmed me once ; 
Yet I have tried to serve Thee all my life ; 
And now, O Lord, I pray Thee let my strength 
Tenfold return, that, in this last, last hour, 
I of mine enemies may be avenged 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 105 

For this great wrong which they to me have 

done; 
And let these heathen, who believe Thee not, 
Know for themselves this day that Thou art 

God." 

He paused, his chest expanded, and again 
Firmly he held with superhuman power 
Those massive pillars in his giant grasp ; 
A shout — the building to its center shook, 
And, in a moment, that vast multitude 
Mangled and crushed beneath its ruins lay, 
And he among them ; thus was he avenged ; 
For they, 'tis said, who perished at his death 
Were more than all that in his life he slew. 



PRAYER. 



God heareth prayer, — whether in secret place, 
Or in His sacred courts, it matters not ; 
Where two or three are gathered in His Name, 
There will He deign to meet them and to bless. 
God heareth prayer, — O thou desponding one, 
When dark temptation's cloud o'erspreads thy 

soul, 
Turn from the busy and the giddy throng. 
Haste thou to nature's solitude, commune 
With thy own heart, and humbly bend thy knee, 
For in that hour thy God will hear thy prayer. 



106 BELLS AT EVENING. 



IMMORTAL LOVE. 



Immortal love ! O theme of heavenly birth ! 
How shall I dare to speak thy matchless worth? 
Source of unending life, celestial dove. 
Fountain of wisdom who thyself art love. 
Thee I invoke, who only canst inspire 
My languid soul, and tune my trembling lyre. 
Immortal love, who shall thy depths explore, 
Vast as eternity's unbounded shore ? 
Thou art the spark that lights th' eternal flame 
On heaven's high altars ; thou the sacred name 
That fills those realms no mortal e'er has trod ; 
Thou the pulsation of the heart of God, 
Which, to the Church, His body here below. 
Doth now.through Christ our great Redeemer, flow. 
Immortal love, how gentle and how mild 
Appear thy workings in a lisping child ! 
Confiding, trusting, innocent, and kind. 
Thou art the first pure impulse of its mind ; 
Thou art a breath from that untainted clime 
Where heavenly choirs their ceaseless anthems 

chime ; 
God's law to man in thee we comprehend, 
Thou its beginning art, and thou its end. 
The noblest of the Christian virtues thou, 
The crown of grace that decks the Christian's 

brow, — 
Jehovah's mighty arm that doth enfold 
A universe with tenderness untold. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 107 

Immortal love, O theme of heavenly birth, 

No mortal tongue can speak thy matchless 

worth ; 
To ransomed ones such lofty strains belong; 
They, only they, can swell th' enraptured song. 



HOPE ON, HOPE EVER. 

Hope on, hope ever. Earth is not so drear. 
Nor life a comfortless and empty dream ; 

The darkest clouds that gather o'er us here 
Are not the harbingers we sometimes deem ; 

For lo ! how brilliant the returning ray. 

As one by one their shadows pass away ! 

Hope on, hope ever. Is thy heart bereft 
Of all that rendered life once dear to thee ? 

Amid the wreck the quenchless spark is left. 
Whose light, though feeble, shall thy beacon be ; 

Though death's cold hand some kindred tie may 
sever. 

Still let thy motto be, Hope on, hope ever. 

Hope on, hope ever. Weary and oppressed. 
Care's pallid seal stamped on thy sunken cheek. 

There is a haven of eternal rest 

Whose sacred joy no mortal tongue can speak ; 

Look upward in thine hour of dark despair — 
Hope points to heaven, and drops her anchor 
there. 



108 BELLS AT EVENING. 



REST. 



Come, heavy laden one, 

Where'er thou art, 
Lay at the Master's feet 

Thy broken heart ; 
Cast thou on Him thy care ; 
Though hard thy cross to bear, 
Jesus, who answers prayer, 

Sweet rest will give. 

Think of His tender love. 

Boundless and free ; 
Think of His precious words 

Spoken to thee ; 
What though thy faith be small ? 
What though thy tears may fall ? 
Jesus, who knows them all, 

Sweet rest will give. 

Long though the weary night, 

Joy will be thine ; 
See through the rifting clouds 

Hope brightly shine ; 
Rest from the tide of woes. 
Rest and a calm repose. 
Rest that shall never close, 

Jesus will give. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 109 



NO TEARS IN HEAVEN. 

With careworn heart and throbbing brow 

I watched the orb of day, 
That set in tears behind the clouds 

That veiled its golden ray ; 
And bending o'er the sacred page 

Of truth divinely given, 
I heard a loving voice that said, 

There'll be no tears in Heaven. 

My thoughts grew calm, and, in a dream. 

Bright angels sang to me 
A choral song of Eden land 

Beyond the jasper sea ; 
And though too soon its chords were lost, 

Its tones afar were driven ; 
One hallowed strain I yet recall : 

There'll be no tears in Heaven. 

No tears, no pain, no dreary night 

With starless gloom o'ercast. 
The joy our blessed Saviour gives 

Will there forever last ; 
O eyes that weep, O hearts that mourn, 

By storm and tempest driven. 
Look up, look up ; 'twill soon be o'er ; 

There'll be no tears in Heaven. 



110 BELLS AT EVENING. 



RETROSPECT. 

Only a thought concealed 

In the leaves of a withered flower, 
That came in its bloom from the giver's hand, 

And drooped in a single hour ! 
Only a whispered word, 

In the ear of a trusting heart ! 
But its memory clung to the trembling strings, 

And it broke them all apart. 

Only a fleeting dream ! 

'Twas bright, but it came no more ; 
Only a sigh, and a sob of pain, 

A parting — and all was o'er ! 
Only a storm-tossed barque. 

Alone on the restless deep ! 
Only the path of a dreary night, 

And a tireless watch to keep ! 

O thought, O word, O dream, 

Sad tales of the past ye tell ; 
Your lesson of life, it was hard to learn, 

But O it has served me well ; 
What matter if still my barque 

On a restless sea be driven } 
Its anchor is firm, and I know ere long 

'Twill rest in the port of Heaven. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. Ill 

UNSEEN. 

Thou great Supreme, whom angel choirs adore, 
High over all exalted evermore, 
No mortal eye hath seen at any time 
The matchless glory of Thy throne sublime ; 
Yet unto us Thou dost Thyself reveal ; 
Within our souls Thy presence. Lord, we feel, 
And know that we from death to life have passed, 
That with Thy chosen ones our lot is cast. 

Unseen, yet when in prayer we breathe Thy name. 
Our love inspired is kindled to a flame ; 
Till, upward borne on eagle wings, we soar 
Beyond the clouds that veil the eternal shore. 
And view by faith Thy regal diadem. 
And in a vision touch Thy garment's hem. 

Unseen, Thou lead'st us by Thine own right hand ; 
Thus saith Thy word, upon whose truth we stand ; 
And still again we hear in tones divine, 
" Fear not ; I have redeemed you ; ye are mine.' 

Unseen, but O how precious, Lord, Thou art ! 
How sweet Thy voice to every trusting heart ! 
We praise and bless Thee for the promise given 
Of endless joy and perfect rest in Heaven, 
Where, Thou hast said, through Thy abundant 

grace, 
We shall in righteousness behold Thy face. 



112 BELLS AT EVENING. 

OCEAN GROVE. 
We stepped upon the crowded car 

That rapidly began to move, 
And ere we thought two hours had passed, 

We found ourselves at Ocean Grove ; 
And there we parted, said Good-bye, 

My new-made friend his home to seek, 
And I their honored guest to be 

Whose kindness words can never speak. 

The camp ground, thronged with pious souls. 

Was from their home not far away, 
Divided by a fairy lake — 

So mirrorlike and still it lay 
That, as we rowed, and softly came 

In measured tones the dipping oar. 
We heard the rustling of the leaves 

Among the pines along the shore. 
O who could breathe the fragrant air 

Of that cool lake, or lightly rove 
Among the avenues and shades 

And winding paths of Ocean Grove, 
Without a realistic sense 

Of holy blessedness that flows 
When over nature and its works 

Religion's power an influence throws ? 

That night — the morrow — O what joy ! 

The very hills with gladness rang ; 
We felt that we had almost reached 

The " Beulah Land " of which we sang. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 113 

To see those cottages and tents, 

Where praise ascended to the sky. 
Was bliss ; ah, more ; 'twas heaven below ; 

In such a scene how sweet to die ! 
We heard the Word of Life proclaimed. 

We heard the deep and fervent prayer, 
We heard with hearts so filled with love 

They scarce another drop could bear. 
God bless the Church that keeps alive, 

From year to year, that custom old 
Of tenting in some rural wood, 

And gathering wanderers to the fold. 

We stood at eve on ocean's beach. 

And heard the waves like thunder roll ; 
And as we knelt upon the sand, 

God came and spoke to every soul ; 
The sky was radiant ; varied tints 

Of crimson, gold, and blue it wore ; 
O never seemed the glowing West 

More bright and beautiful before. 
And should we never meet again 

As then we met at sunset hour. 
We'll talk it over by and by 

In some delightful shady bower 
Of Eden's land ; ah, yes ; and there, 

While rapture tunes our souls to love. 
We'll praise the Lord in higher strains 

For those bright days at Ocean Grove. 



114 BELLS AT EVENING. 

GRANDPA'S BLESSING. 
We were sitting after supper, 

On a cold and frosty night, 
In our cozy little parlor, 

O so cheerful, warm, and bright ! 
And our grandpa said, " My children, 

Have you all been good to-day ? " 
Then each little voice grew silent 

As we knelt with him to pray. 
I shall ne'er forget the burden 

Of that simple, fervent prayer : 
" Lord, I thank thee for Thy mercy, 

And Thy ever watchful care ; 
I shall soon lay down my armor. 

For my days are well-nigh told, 
But I long to see these dear ones 

Gathered safely in Thy fold ; 
Keep us through the night, our Father ; 

May we all in safety wake ; 
Guide us to Thy heavenly mansions ; 

This we ask for Jesus' sake." 

Then he kissed us all so fondly. 

Laid his hands on every head, 
Gave us each a parting blessing 

As we tripped away to bed ; 
But an angel came at midnight, 

And his wings were white as snow ; 
Grandpa knew the voice that called him. 

And his soul was glad to go ; 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 115 

But he bade our mother tell us 

He had only gone before, 
And, if faithful, we should meet him 

On the happy golden shore. 



THE CHILD AND THE ANGEL. 

A MOTHER sat musing at close of day 
By the cradle bed where her firstborn lay ; 
On the dimpled cheek of that cherub fair 
Had fallen a ringlet of golden hair ; 
And thither a truant sunbeam strayed, 
And long with that beautiful tress it played, 
Till it faded away in the crimson west, 
And sank like the innocent child to rest. 



Why trembled a tear in that mother's eye 

As she warbled her simple lullaby, 

And her soulfelt prayer on the breath of even 

Went up to the throne of her God in heaven ? 

Can ye fathom the ocean, dark and deep, 

Where the mighty waves in their grandeur sweep ? 

Or number the radiant orbs above ? 

Ah, then may ye fathom a mother's love ; 

That pearly tear was a gem more fair 

Than the ruby bright or the diamond rare, 

For it told what language could ne'er reveal, 

A love which a mother alone can feel. 



116 BELLS AT EVENING. 

From the fount of life and the source of light, 
From the sacred fields of Elysium bright, 
Through the cloudless depths of ethereal blue, 
Quickly the form of an angel flew ; 
O soft was the breath of the balmy air 
As it felt the touch of his pinions fair 
Diffusing aromas sweet from flowers 
Of amaranth cradled in Eden's bowers. 

A tear was still in that mother's eye 

As she warbled her simple lullaby, 

For she looked on the angel form that smiled 

On the cherub face of her sleeping child ; 

And she heard low music of heavenly joy 

Wooing the soul of her darling boy. 

There were anxious thoughts in her throbbing 

breast 
As his pallid lips to her own were pressed ; 
A moment his eye grew strangely bright. 
Then closed in a long and last good night ; 
The angel of mercy, the child of love. 
Together had flown to the realms above. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 117 

A RHAPSODY. 

[Written while standing by a fountain in one of our city parks.] 

Playing away, playing away, 

Cooling my brow with thy silvery spray, 

Beautiful fountain, pure and bright, 

Throwing thy drops like jets of light, 

There's a voice that comes from thy depths so clear, 

A strange, wild voice that I love to hear. 

Playing away, playing away. 

Telling thy story by night and day, 

While a rainbow hangs on thy sparkling crest, 

Pointing the soul to a home of rest — 

Not here, not here, but in yonder clime 

That needs no dial to mark its time ; 

The years are ages, and days are years ; 

There is neither sorrow nor night nor tears ; 

And the Fountain of Life with its crystal spray 

Forever and ever is playing away. 



OUR LORD AT THE GRAVE OF 
LAZARUS. 
*• Where have ye laid him ? " Once that God- 
like voice 
Rebuked the winds and bade them seek their 

caves ; 
Commanded, and the wild, tempestuous sea. 
Whose wrathful billows lashed the vessel's side 
As if to plunge her 'neath their foaming surge. 



118 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Was in a moment calm and motionless ; 

The thunder heard His mandate, and was mute ,• 

The parting clouds let forth the prisoned light 

To sparkle on the bosom of the deep. 

But now that voice was tremulous and sad ; 

His very soul was rent, convulsed with grief ; 

His human nature felt and suffered, too. 

With those who, crushed beneath affliction's rod, 

Looked up to Him for hope in their despair. 

He knew and loved those stricken ones, who came 

In their bereavement, and were kneeling there. 

And who in turn had said amid their tears, 

" Lord, if Thou hadst been here this bitter cup 

Thou wouldst have stayed ; our brother had not 

died ; " 
And He who spake as man could never speak, 
To one of them had answered, " Fear thou not ; 
Behold, thy brother from the dead shall rise ; 
I am the Resurrection and the Life ; 
He that on me believeth, know thou this, 
Though he were dead, yet shall he live again, 
And whosoever living doth believe 
And trust in me, shall never, never die." 
Then as the wound of sorrow flowed afresh 
From those lone hearts, he looked around, and saw 
The weeping Jews, whom sympathy had moved 
To follow Mary as she quickly rose. 
Believing that she sought her brother's grave. 
He in the spirit groaned, and, troubled, said, 
" Where have ye laid him ? " Sadly they replied, 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 119 

" Lord, come and see ; " and lo, Messiah wept. 

O consecrated tears ! shall one be lost ? 

No ; in an urn held by a cherub hand, 

An infant cherub He had blessed on earth, 

Each hallowed drop preserved was borne to 

heaven. 
And on the glorious battlements of light, 
From whence the angel hosts our world survey. 
They stood in wonder, bowed their reverent 

heads, 
Hushed every harp, and silently adored 
His love who thus could pity mortal woe. 
Slowly He followed where the mourners led ; 
And some there were who questioned, " Could not 

He 
Who oped the sightless eyes and gave them light 
Have caused that e'en this man should not have 

died ? " 
Again the Saviour, groaning in Himself, 
Oppressed and careworn, cometh to the grave. 
No verdant mound laved with the falling spray 
Of silvery fountain or transparent lake 
Received the dust of the departed one. 
Nor bud nor blossom marked his resting place ; 
It was a cave on which a stone was laid ; 
They rolled it back, and then each heart was still, 
For Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 
" Father, I thank Thee that my prayer is heard ; 
And while I know Thou alway hearest me. 
Yet for their sake, the people gathered here, 



120 BELLS AT EVENING. 

I thus invoke Thee, thus Thy throne address, 
That they may know that I am sent by Thee." 
A moment's pause, and then He cried aloud, 
" Lazarus, come forth ! " and through each quiver- 
ing vein 
The lifeblood coursed, the warm pulse throbbed 

anew. 
And, starting to his feet, perfect and sound. 
The dead was raised and Jesus glorified. 



EVENING. 

A REMINISCENCE. 

Go, busy care, awhile depart ; 

These moments have no place for thee ; 
Go, take thy burden from my heart. 

And leave this hallowed hour to me ; 
The sun has gone, his farewell ray 

Has kissed the rosy-tinted west ; 
The swallow twittering hies away, 

And gathers all her brood to rest. 

Go, busy care, and let me feel 

The touch of evening's grateful breeze, 
And hear its whisper lightly steal 

Among these long familiar trees ; 
I love to sit beneath their shade 

That overlook yon ruined dome. 
And count the years when first I played 

Beside its porch and called it home. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 121 

I had no care, no sorrow, then ; 

My life was like a summer day. 
My world this lovely sylvan glen, 

Nor had I thought or wish to stray, 
But tarry with its birds and flowers, 

Its autumn leaves and winter snow ; 
They brought their merry, laughing hours, 

And bade my heart with pleasure glow. 

And then, that lake whose glossy wave 

So like a burnished mirror seems. 
Where swans their graceful beauty lave — 

And, in my happy childhood dreams, 
How oft I've rowed my tiny boat 

Along its bosom calm and still, 
And caroled to the silver note 

Of echo from the distant hill. 

Sweet native wild, to me so dear, 

How changed, how sadly changed, thou art ! 
But love hath still its altar here. 

And thou art sacred to my heart ; 
Yes, sacred ; for alone I weep 

O'er broken ties and moss-^rown graves. 
Where daisies come their watch to keep. 

And memory's drooping cypress waves. 

One mound is left ; I mind it well ; 

And oft the sod my feet have pressed. 
Where, by and by, the old church bell 

Will toll me softly to my rest ; 



125 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And when I close these weary eyes, 
May He, who knows my every care. 

From His great temple in the skies 
Stoop down and take my spirit there — 

Where purer joys than ever thrilled 

My bosom here shall come to me. 
And every throbbing pulse be stilled 

In that sweet immortality — 
That world of song, from whose bright shore 

All gloom and cloud and storm are driven, 
And love keeps vigil evermore. 

Nor weeps o'er broken ties in Heaven. 



MOTHER, PRAY FOR ME. 

Mother, mother, I am waiting 

For your blessing ere I go ; 
But your head is bowed in sorrow ; 

Can I leave you weeping so ? 
Wipe away your tears, my mother, 

I must brave a stormy sea ; 
But my heart will fear no danger 

While my mother prays for me. 

You have taught me to remember 

My Creator in my youth ; 
You have taught me words of comfort 

From the page of life and truth ; 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 123 

And those blessed words, repeated 
Mom and eve beside your knee, 

Will be sweeter now ; but, mother, 
Don't forget to pray for me. 

When you watch the sky at evening, 

Dark with threatening clouds o'ercast, 
And you hear the restless moaning 

Of the cold, foreboding blast ; 
When you think your boy is tossing 

On a wild and angry sea, 
I shall know at such a moment 

That my mother prays for me. 



PEACE; BE STILL. 

When, o'er the billows wild and dark, 
Was rudely tossed the Saviour's barque, 
He calmed them by His sovereign will, 
And bade the angry storm be still. 

The wild winds cease — the billows sleep 

In silence on the mighty deep ; 

For God, omnipotent to save. 

Can calm the wind and rule the wave. 

Thus when tempestuous passions swell, 
And we against His law rebel, 
O, may our hearts His Spirit fill, 
And bid the angry storm be still. 



124 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And O, in sorrow's gloomy hour 
Still may we own His sovereign power ; 
Bow meekly to His gracious will, 
And bid the throbbing heart be still. 



THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD. 
High in his zenith rode the King of day, 
And, from his flaming chariot as it passed, 
Let down his glory like a flood of gold 
On Jordan's waters, famed on history's page, 
Where Israel's mighty host whom Joshua led 
To their inheritance, fair Canaan's land, 
Beheld the river parted in the midst ; 
The waters, like a wall on either side. 
Moved not till every footstep died away 
And all were safe ; and then Jehovah's voice 
Bade them return to their own place again, — 
The Jordan on whose brink Elijah stood, 
And with his mantle smote the turbid waves. 
And they divided; he on solid ground 
Trod fearless, for he knew God's hand was there 

How beautiful that ancient river now, 
Its waters placid, while the idle breeze 
Slept on its bosom, and the noontide sun 
Kissed every wave, chased every cloud away, 
Lest they should break that sweet tranquillity ! 
And he whose raiment was of camel's hair, 
Whose meat was locusts and the honey wild. 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 125 

Who in Judea's wilderness had cried, 
" Repent ye, for God's kingdom is at hand," 
Stood on those lovely banks amid the throng 
That from the region round about had come 
To hear his words, and, penitent for sin, 
With due confession, meekly to receive 
The holy sign, the one baptismal rite, — 
To whom in tones prophetic thus he spoke : 
•' Now at the root the sharpened ax is laid, 
And every tree that bears not goodly fruit 
Shall have no more a place amid the soil, 
But, severed branch by branch, shall fuel be 
To feed the flames that must forever burn. 
With water to repentance I baptize ; 
But lo, among you shall another come, 
Greater than I, the latchet of whose shoes, 
Behold, I am not worthy to unloose,— 
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, 
Yea, and with tire ; of Him I witness bear." 

See now the Baptist ; what hath moved his soul } 
Why fixed his gaze upon that stranger form. 
Mild, eloquent, serene, majestic, pure ? 
Who would not love that more than earthly face. 
Those gentle looks with tender sadness twined. 
Those olive eyes to whose expression deep 
His soul benignant lent a heavenly beam 
That found its way to many a grief- worn heart, 
And left a smile of peace and comfort there ? 
And this was He whose birth the angels sang. 



126 BELLS AT EVENING. 

And o'er whose cradle shone His natal star 
So brightly when the Orient wise men came, 
And laid their costly treasures at His feet ; 
This, too, was He whom Simeon in his arms 
Took up, and blessed, and said, " Lord, now I 

may 
Depart in peace, for lo, these aged eyes 
In this fair Child have Thy salvation seen." 

Then cometh Jesus, saith the inspired page. 

From Galilee to Jordan, unto John, 

To be baptized of him ; but John refused ; 

" No, I have need to be baptized of Thee," 

His meek reply, " and comest Thou to me ? " 

But Jesus answered, " Let it be so now. 

For thus it doth become us to fulfill 

All righteousness." The Baptist urged no more. 

They bent their steps down toward the river's 

brink ; 
The waves adoring murmured as His form 
Plunged 'neath their depths, and sparkled when 

He rose. 
Out of the water upward as He came. 
Harps rang in chorus by the Tree of Life, 
And angels sang hosannas round the throne ; 
The heavens were opened with ecstatic joy ; 
The Spirit thence descending hke a dove 
Abode upon Him, and the Father's voice 
Proclaimed to all, " This is My Beloved Son 
In whom I am well pleased ; believe in Him." 



RELIGIOUS POEMS. 127 

WE KNOW NOT WHAT THOU DOEST. 

Lord, we know not what Thou doest, 

But Thy ways are kind and just ; 
And Thy word of life has taught us 

To believe, obey, and trust ; 
Lord, we know not what Thou doest ; 

But, in yonder morning land. 
When our spirit eyes are opened, 

We shall know and understand. 

Thou wilt show us why 'twas needful 

Our request should be denied ; 
Why our dearest hopes were blighted, 

And our faith so oft was tried ; 
Yes, beyond the vale of shadows, 

In the golden reaping land. 
Why our hearts were bowed in sorrow 

We shall know and understand. 

Though we know not what Thou doest, 

We will trust Thee to the end ; 
Thou hast veiled from us in wisdom 

What we could not comprehend ; 
Yet, beyond the silent river, 

When our souls with joy expand, 
Then Thy dealings, blessed Saviour, 

We shall know and understand. 



128 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE DYING BOY. 

Say, why are you weeping, dear mother? 

Sit down ; I have something to tell ; 
I heard a sweet voice, and it told me 

That all with my spirit was well ; 
It came to my heart, and that moment 

I felt not a struggle or pain ; 
It whispered I soon should be happy. 

And never know sorrow again. 

Say, why are you weeping, dear mother ? 

How grateful to God you should be 
That He in His love has provided 

A home of such beauty for me — 
A home on the banks of a river 

Whose waters are crystal and fair ; 
There hunger and cold cannot reach me ; 

And, mother, the Saviour is there. 

Say, why are you weeping, dear mother ? 

How hard you have toiled for my sake ! 
But now you can sleep, and so calmly 

You need not so early awake ; 
Come nearer ; one kiss, gentle mother ; 

I'm going, I'm speeding my flight ; 
Not long will you tarry behind me ; 

I'll come for you, mother. Good night. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



THERE'S MUSIC IN THE AIR. 

There's music in the air 

When the infant morn is nigh, 
And faint its blush is seen 

On the bright and laughing sky ; 
Many a harp's ecstatic sound 
Comes with thrill of joy profound, 
While we list enchanted there 
To the music in the air. 

There's music in the air 

When the noontide's sultry beam 
Reflects a golden light 

On the distant mountain stream ; 
When beneath some grateful shade 
Sorrow's aching head is laid. 
Sweetly to the spirit there 
Comes the music in the air. 

There's music in the air 

When the twilight's gentle sigh 
Is lost on evening's breast 

As its pensive beauties die ; 
129 



130 BELLS AT EVENING. 

Then, O then, the loved ones gone 
Wake the pure celestial song ; 
Angel voices greet us there 
In the music in the air. 
1855. 



THE HAZEL DELL. 

In the Hazel Dell my Nelly's sleeping, 

Nelly loved so long ! 
And my lonely, lonely watch I'm keeping, 

Nelly lost and gone ; 
Here in moonlight often we have wandered 

Through the silent shade ; 
Now where leafy trees are drooping downward 

Little Nelly's laid. 

Chorus : 
All alone my watch I'm keeping 

In the Hazel Dell, 
For my darling Nelly's near me sleeping, — 
Nelly dear, farewell. 

In the Hazel Dell my Nelly's sleeping. 

Where the flowers wave. 
And the silent stars are nightly weeping 

O'er poor Nelly's grave ; 
Hopes that once my bosom fondly cherished 

Smile no more on me; 
Every dream of joy, alas, has perished, 

Nelly dear, with thee. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 131 

Now I'm weary, friendless, and forsaken, 

Watching here alone ; 
Nelly, thou no more wilt fondly cheer me 

With thy loving tone ; 
Yet forever shall thy gentle image 

In my memory dwell, 
And my tears thy lonely grave shall moisten ; 

Nelly dear, farewell. 
1852. 



132 BELLS AT EVENING. 



ROSALIE, THE PRAIRIE FLOWER. 

On the distant prairie, where the heather wild, 
In its quiet beauty, lived and smiled, 
Stands a little cottage, and a creeping vine 
Loves around its porch to twine ; 
In that peaceful dwelling was a lovely child. 
With her blue eyes beaming soft and mild. 
And the wavy ringlets of her flaxen hair 
Floating in the summer air. 

Chorus : 

Fair as a lily, joyous and free, 
Light of that prairie home was she ; 
Everyone who knew her felt the gentle power 
Of Rosalie, the Prairie Flower. 

On that distant prairie, when the days were long, 

Tripping like a fairy, sweet her song, 

With the sunny blossoms and the birds at play, 

Beautiful and bright as they ; 

When the twilight shadows gathered in the west, 

And the voice of nature sank to rest, 

Like a cherub kneeling seemed the lovely child, 

With her gentle eyes so mild. 

But the summer faded, and a chilly blast 
O'er that happy cottage swept at last ; 
When the autumn song-bird woke the dewy morn, 
Little Prairie Flower wns gone ; 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 133 

For the angels whispered softly in her ear, 
" Child, thy Father calls thee ; stay not here ; " 
And they gently bore her, robed in spotless white, 
To their blissful home in light. 

Chorus : 
Though we shall never look on her more, 
Gone with the love and joy she bore. 
Far away she's blooming in a fadeless bower, 
Sweet Rosalie, the Prairie Flower. 

1855. 



134 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE HONEYSUCKLE GLEN. 

In the honeysuckle glen, where odors sweet 

Perfume the breeze that floats along, 
And the rosy tints of morn with blushes greet 

The lark as she trills her song ; 
In the honeysuckle glen, how pleasantly 

The happy summer days would glide, 
When I wandered by the rill, so merrily, 

And Lilla was by my side. 

Chorus : 

Lilla, Lilla, wake again 

From thy sleep in the honeysuckle glen ; 

Lilla, dearest, all is o'er, 

Thou wilt return no more. 

In the honeysuckle glen, secluded far. 

The home of nature's fairest bowers, 
When with mild and gentle light the evening star 

Looks forth on the dewy flowers ; 
In the honeysuckle glen, how tenderly 

I looked upon my lovely bride, 
And I never dreamed that care could reach me there 

When Lilla was by my side. 

Through the honeysuckle glen I've wandered now 

For many weary years alone ; 
O, I never more shall see her angel brow, 

Or list to her winning tone ; 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 135 

But the parting words she spoke I cherish still, 
And wear them on my breaking heart, 

Till I meet her on that shore, our sorrows o'er, 
Where loved ones no more shall part. 

1855. 



136 BELLS AT EVENING. 



MOTHER'S GOOD-BYE. 

Sit down by the side of your mother, my boy ; 

You have only a moment, I know; 
But you'll stay till I give you my parting advice ; 

'Tis all that I have to bestow ; 
You leave us to seek for employment, my boy ; 

By the world you have yet to be tried ; 
But in all the temptations and struggles you meet, 

May your heart in the Saviour confide. 

Chorus : 
Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right, 
Wherever your footsteps may roam ; 

forsake not the way of salvation, my boy, 
That you learned from your mother at home. 

You'll find in your satchel a Bible, my boy; 

'Tis the book of all others the best ; 
It will teach you to live, it will help you to die, 

And lead to the gates of the blest ; 

1 gave you to God in your cradle, my boy ; 

I have taught you the best that I knew ; 
And as long as His mercy permits me to live, 
I shall never cease praying for you. 

Your father is coming to bid you good-bye ; 
O, how lonely and sad we shall be ! 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 137 

But when far from the scenes of your childhood 
and youth, 

You'll think of your father and me ; 
I want you to feel every word I have said, 

For it came from the depths of my love ; 
And, my boy, if we never behold you on earth. 

Will you promise to meet us above ? 
1878. 



138 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THREESCORE YEARS AND TEN. 

His locks were white as winter's snow. 

His form was bent witli age ; 
And while he gazed with reverent eyes 

Upon the sacred page, 
A sudden joy lit up his face, 

And o'er and o'er again 
He praised the Lord, his strength and shield. 

For threescore years and ten. 

" O love, amazing love," he cried, 

" For one like me to die ! 
I've tried to read my title clear 

To mansions in the sky ; 
And though, alas, this heart of mine 

Has oft unfaithful been. 
The Lord hath not forsaken me 

For threescore years and ten. 

" I have no home to call my own. 

No dwelling here below ; 
Of those who gathered round me once 

I am the last to go ; 
I bore them to their resting place 

In yonder silent glen ; 
And yet to-day my life has reached 

Its threescore years and ten. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 139 

" I am not weary of the cross, 

Nor would I lay it down 
Till Jesus with His own dear hand 

Puts on my promised crown, — 
Till, in His righteousness arrayed, 

I stand complete, and then 
I'll shout the grace that kept my soul 

For threescore years and ten." 

He leaned a moment on his staff, 

Then laid him down to rest ; 
His aged hands as if in sleep 

Were folded on his breast ; 
A smile of peace was on his lips ; 

He breathed a prayer, and then — 
His soul was with the God he served 

For threescore years and ten. 



140 BELLS AT EVENING. 



UNDER A CLOUD. 

When my heart was almost breaking 

'Neath its heavy weight of care, 
And the cross that lay before me 

Seemed too great for me to bear, — 
Came a voice that whispered gently, 

" Why discouraged shouldst thou be ? 
Answer this, and answer truly, 

Art thou faithful? lovest thou Me?" 

And I answered, " O my Saviour, 
In my weakness make me strong; 

Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee, 
And Thy love shall be my song." 

When I tried to work for Jesus, 

And I pleaded at His throne 
For the witness of the Spirit 

That my heart was still His own, — 
How I felt reproved and humbled 

When again He said to me, 
" Answer this, and answer truly. 

Have I e'er forsaken thee ? " 

And I answered, " O my Saviour, 
In my weakness make me strong; 

Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee, 
And Thy love shall be my song." 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 141 

Now I rest securely, calmly, 

For I know that He is nigh ; 
Pain or sickness, if He send it — 

Not a murmur, not a sigh ; 
Still I hear His voice repeating, 

" Once I bore the cross for thee ; 
Answer truly ; art thou willing 

Now to bear thine own for Me ? " 

Still I answer, " O my Saviour, 
In my weakness make me strong; 

Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee, 
And Thy love shall be my song." 



142 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE SINGER AND THE HARP. 

Slowly the day was fading, 

A day I shall ne'er forget ; 
Its scenes, like the ivy tendrils, 

Are clinging around me yet. 
Drearily passed the moments, 

And wearily passed the hours. 
And I longed for a breath of the early spring, 

And a smile from the young year flowers. 
I knelt where a heart was breaking 

Alone in its anguish deep, 
And tenderly tried to whisper 

God's promise to those that weep. 
But a cloud came over the sunlight 

That shone in the radiant sky. 
And the truth that I sought to utter 

Seemed drifting unheeded by. 
Soft as a wild bird's carol, 

A harp on the twilight rang, 
And a singer, its chords awaking. 

These words to the music sang: 
" O cast on the Lord thy burden. 

And trust in thy soul's best friend. 
To comfort, sustain, and keep thee 

Till life and its cares shall end." 
Thrice were the words repeated ; 

The melody, sweet and clear. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 143 

Was caught by a listening angel 

Who lingered its tones to hear. 
The singer and harp had triumphed. 

The weary had found a rest ; 
The door of a heart was opened 

To welcome its heavenly guest. 
O harp on the twilight stealing, 

O singer at God's behest. 
Still breathe in the ear of sorrow, 

And say to the toil-oppressed : 
" O cast on the Lord thy burden. 

And trust in thy soul's best friend. 
To comfort, sustain, and keep thee 

Till time and its cares shall end." 



144 BELLS AT EVENING. 



GRANDMA'S ROCKING-CHAIR. 

I am thinking of a cottage, 

In a quiet, rural dell, 
And a brook that ran beside it, 

That I used to love so well ; 
I have sat for hours and listened, 

While it rippled at my feet. 
And I thought no other music 

In the world was half so sweet. 

There are forms that flit before me ; 

Those are times I yet recall ; 
But the voice of gentle Grandma 

I remember best of all ; 
In her loving arms she held me, 

And beneath her patient care 
I was borne away to dreamland. 

In her dear old rocking-chair. 

I am thinking of a promise 

That I made when last we met ; 
'Twas a rosy summer twilight 

That I never shall forget ; 
" Grandma's going home," she whispered, 

" And the time is drawing nigh ; 
Tell me, darling, will you meet her 

In our Father's house on hicjh ? " 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 145 

She was looking down upon me ; 

For a moment all was still ; 
Then I answered with emotion : 

" By the grace of God, I will." 
How she clasped me to her bosom ! 

And we bowed our heads in prayer 
Where so oft we knelt together, 

By her dear old rocking-chair. 

She has passed the vale of shadows, 

She has crossed the narrow sea, 
And beyond the crystal river 

She is waiting now for me : 
But in fancy I recall her, 

And again we kneel in prayer, 
While my heart renews its promise 

By her dear old rocking-chair. 



46 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE WHITE SAIL. 

We stood and gazed on the ebbing tide, 

Under an arch of ethereal blue ; 
From a motley group we had turned aside, 

And near to the water's edge we drew. 
'Twas a cloudless day, and a magic scene 

That held us its captives, my friend and me — 
Those beautiful isles in their robes of green, 

Stretching as far as the eye could see. 
Covered with blossoms and birds and trees. 
Playing bo-peep with the summer breeze ; 
Those rocks in their grandeur that stood sublime. 

Rearing their heads in the golden sun. 
Counted not years on the dial of time, 

But numbered their centuries one by one. 
And well I remember how strangely sweet 

The voice of the wind as we heard it then, 
And the waves that were singing beneath our feet 

A song that will never come back again. 
It fluttered away to the seagull's home. 

And its tones were lost in the ocean's roar ; 
It flitted afar like youth's bright star 

That rises and sets, and returns no more. 
And still as we gazed on the ebbing tide. 

And the boats came hurrying to and fro. 
Our eyes in the distance a sail descried 

Over the water, bending low. 

White as the downy, drifting snow. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 147 

Over the billows that calmly slept, 

A vessel approaching we now could trace ; 
How steadily onward her course she kept ! 

We wondered where was her mooring place. 
Nor wondered long, for the old flag true 

Fluttered aloft from her gallant mast ; 
And we heard the shouts of a hardy crew, 

And they waved their hands as they quickly 
passed ; 
And their welcome home was the laughing gale 

That played with the folds of that snow-white 
sail. 
And then as we talked of that radiant shore 

Our barque would reach when our voyage 
should cease, 
When we thought of the loved ones gone before. 
River and island and rock and sky 

Were lost in a vision more bright and fair ; 
For our faith went up to the gates on high, 

And we almost felt we had entered there. 
The day has gone, and its sun has set, 

The tide rolls on with its ebb and flow, 
But that snow-white sail we shall ne'er forget ; 

It will live in the heart of the Long Ago. 



148 BELLS AT EVENING. 

ALMOST IN SIGHT OF THE HARBOR. 

[On recovering from a serious illness.] 

Almost in sight of the harbor; 

O what a beautiful throng 
Over me lovingly bending, 

Singing a lullaby song ! 

Chorus : 

Almost in sight of the harbor, 

Almost at home on the shore; 
Only the signal to enter. 

Only a stroke of the oar. 

Almost in sight of the harbor ; 

Never a wish nor a care ; 
Never a doubt nor a sorrow 

Clouded that vision so fair. 

Almost in sight of the harbor ; 

Perfect and peaceful my rest. 
Trusting my precious Redeemer, 

Sheltered and safe on His breast. 

Almost in sight of the harbor 

Surely my spirit has been ; 
Yet, to the dear ones I cherish. 

Prayer has restored me again. 
1896. 



HYMNS. 



WE ARE GOING. 

We are going, we are going 

To a home beyond the skies, 
Where the fields are robed in beauty, 

And the sunlight never dies ; 
Where the fount of joy is flowing 

In the valley green and fair, 
We shall dwell in love together; 

There will be no parting there. 

We are going, we are going, 

And the music we have heard 
Like the echo of the woodland. 

Or the carol of a bird ; 
With the rosy light of morning, 

On the calm and fragrant air, 
Still it murmurs, softly murmurs, 

There will be no parting there. 

We are going, we are going. 

When the day of life is o'er. 
To that pure and happy region 

Where our friends have gone before ; 
They are singing with the angels 

In that land so bright and fair ; 
We shall dwell with them forever; 

There will be no parting there. 
1864. 149 



150 BELLS AT EVENING. 



CLOSING HYMN FOR THE NORTH- 
FIELD CONVENTIONS. 

Within these consecrated walls. 

Convened from year to year, 
We all have said, like one of old, 

" 'Tis good to linger here ; " 
Though from the mount we must descend. 

And toil amid the plain. 
Yet we can sing, with joyful hearts, 

Good night, we'll meet again. 

Chorus : 

Good night till we meet again. 
Good night till we meet again ; 
God keep us in bonds of love 
Until we meet again. 

From North and South, from East and West, 

From o'er the ocean wide. 
Among these rural scenes we came. 

To lay our cares aside ; 
To breathe the mountain air so sweet. 

In Northfield's fair domain ; 
But now our resting time is o'er ; 

Good night, we'll meet again. 

O blessed days, how soon they've passed. 

While, at the Master's feet. 
We sat to hear and learn of Him, 

In this beloved retreat ! 



HYMNS. 151 

We've gathered gems of precious truth, 

Whose light will long remain, 
And keep our bond of union bright 

Until we meet again. 

And now, in deep and earnest tones. 

The words of blessing fall : 
" May grace and peace from Christ our Lord 

Henceforth be with you all ! " 
With such a prayer to cheer us on, 

Let us from doubts refrain, 
And go and work with joyful hearts 

Until we meet again. 
1888. 

YES, THERE IS PARDON FOR YOU. 

O COME to the Saviour, beheve in His name, 
And ask Him your heart to renew ; 

He waits to be gracious ; O turn not away. 
For now there is pardon for you. 

The way of transgression that leads unto death, 

O, why will you longer pursue ? 
How can you reject the sweet message of love 

That offers full pardon for you ? 

Be warned of your danger ; escape to the cross ; 

Your only salvation is there ; 
Believe, and that moment the Spirit of grace 

Will answer your penitent prayer. 
1875. 



152 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN. 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! there is joy in heaven with the 
angels ; 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! for the prodigal's return ; 
He has come, he has come 

To his Father's house at last ; 
He was lost, he is found. 

And the night of gloom is past. 
Blessed hour of joy and communion sweet, 
For his heart is full and his love complete ; 
His Father sees him and hastes to meet. 

And bid him welcome home. 

Chorus : 
Joy! joy! joy! there is joy in heaven with the 
angels ; 
Joy ! joy ! joy ! for the prodigal's return ! 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! in the courts of heaven resounding; 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! o'er the prodigal's return ; 
Hark ! the song, hark ! the song, 

'Tis a joyful, joyful strain ; 
Welcome home, welcome home 

To thy Father's house again. 
While his eye is dim with the falling tears 
Of repentant grief over wasted years, 
The pardoning voice of his Father cheers. 

And bids him welcome home. 



HYMNS. 153 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! in the radiant fields of glory ; 

Joy ! joy ! joy ! when a wandering soul returns ; 
Let us haste, let us haste, 

While the morning sun is bright ; 
Jesus calls, Jesus calls 

To a land of love and light. 
We will journey on till our pilgrim feet 
Shall be found at last in the golden street ; 
Our glorious Saviour will smile to greet, 

And bid us welcome home. 
1867. 



154 BELLS AT EVENING. 



MORE LIKE JESUS. 

More like Jesus would I be ; 
Let my Saviour dwell with me, 
Fill my soul with peace and love, 
Make me gentle as the dove ; 
More like Jesus while I go, 
Pilgrim in this world below ; 
Poor in spirit would I be — 
Let my Saviour dwell in me. 

If He hears the raven's cry. 
If His ever-watchful eye 
Marks the sparrows when they fall. 
Surely He will hear my call ; 
He will teach me how to live, 
All my sinful thoughts forgive ; 
Pure in heart I still would be — 
Let my Saviour dwell in me. 

More like Jesus when I pray, 
More like Jesus day by day, 
May I rest me by His side. 
Where the tranquil waters glide ; 
Born of Him, through grace renewed. 
By His love my will subdued, 
Rich in faith I still would be — 
Let my Saviour dwell in me. 
1867. 



HYMNS. 155 



JESUS, DEAR, I COME TO THEE. 

Jesus dear, I come to Thee, 

Thou hast said I may ; 
Tell me what my life should be, 

Take my sins away ; 
Jesus dear, I learn of Thee 

In Thy word divine ; 
Every promise there I see. 

May I call it mine. 

Jesus dear, I long for Thee, 

Long Thy peace to know ; 
Grant those purer joys to me 

Earth can ne'er bestow ; 
Jesus dear, I cling to Thee ; 

When my heart is sad, 
Thou wilt kindly speak to me, 

Thou wilt make me glad. 

Jesus dear, I trust in Thee, 

Trust Thy tender love ; 
There's a happy home for me 

With Thy saints above ; 
Jesus, I would come to Thee, 

Thou hast said I may ; 
Tell me what my life should be. 

Take my sins away. 
1867. 



156 BELLS AT EVENING. 



SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe on His gentle breast, 
There by His love o'ershaded, 

Sweetly my soul shall rest. 
Hark ! 'tis the voice of angels, 

Borne in a song to me, 
Over the fields of glory, 

Over the jasper sea. 

Chorus : 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe on His gentle breast, 

There by His love o'ershaded, 

Sweetly my soul shall rest. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe from corroding care, 
Safe from the world's temptations, 

Sin cannot harm me there. 
Free from the blight of sorrow. 

Free from my doubts and fears ; 
Only a few more trials. 

Only a few more tears ! 

Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, 

Jesus has died for me; 
Firm on the Rock of Ages 

Ever my trust shall be. 



HYMNS. 157 

Here let me wait with patience, 

Wait till the night is o'er; 
Wait till I see the morning 

Break on the golden shore. 



[868. 



LET THE GOOD ANGELS COME IN. 

They hover around us, bright angels are near, 

To glory immortal they win ; 
Then gladly we'll open the door of our hearts. 

And let the good angels come in ; 
How kindly our Father has sent them to keep 

A watch o'er His children below ; 
They're with us in slumber, their eyes never sleep, 

They're with us wherever we go. 

Refrain : 

Let them come in, let them come in. 
Let the good angels come in. 

To comfort the lonely, and strengthen the weak, 

Their mission of mercy and love ; 
And oft on their beautiful pinions of light 

They bear our petitions above ; 
O let them come in, they are holy and pure. 

Their presence how tenderly sweet ; 
They echo the song of the happy and blest, 

They learn at Immanuel's feet. 
1867. 



158 BELLS AT EVENING. 



PASS ME NOT. 

Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, 

Hear my humble cry ; 
While on others Thou art smiling. 

Do not pass me by. 

Chorus : 

Saviour, Saviour, 

Hear my humble cry, 
"While on others Thou art calling, 

Do not pass me by. 

Let me at a throne of mercy 

Find a sweet relief ; 
Kneeling there in deep contrition. 

Help my unbelief. 

Trusting only in Thy merit. 
Would I seek Thy face ; 

Heal my wounded, broken spirit, 
Save me by Thy grace. 

Thou the Spring of all my comfort, 

More than life to me, 
Whom have I on earth beside Thee? 

Whom in heaven but Thee } 
1868. 



HYMNS. 159 



I COME TO THEE. 

I COME to Thee, I come to Thee, 
Thou precious Lamb once slain for me ; 
I rest confiding in Thy word, 
And "cast my burden on the Lord." 
I come to Thee with all my grief ; 
Dear Saviour, help my unbelief ; 
Thy blessed name my only plea. 
With this, O Lord, I come to Thee. 

I come to Thee, whose sovereign power 
Can cheer me in the darkest hour ; 
I come to Thee, through storm and shade. 
For Thou hast said, " Be not afraid." 
I come to Thee with all my tears, 
My pain and sorrow, doubts and fears ; 
Thou precious Lamb, once slain for me, 
I come to Thee, I come to Thee. 

To Thee my trembling spirit flies 

When faith grows weak and comfort dies ; 

I bow adoring at Thy feet. 

And hold with Thee communion sweet. 

wondrous love, O joy divine. 

To feel Thee near and call Thee mine ! 
Thou precious Lamb, once slain for me, 

1 come to Thee, I come to Thee. 
1868. 



160 BELLS AT EVENING. 



RESCUE THE PERISHING. 

Rescue the perishing, 

Care for the dying, 
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; 

Weep o'er the erring one, 

Lift up the fallen. 
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. 

Chorus : 

Rescue the perishing. 
Care for the dying ; 
Jesus is merciful, 
Jesus will save. 

Though they are slighting Him, 

Still He is w^aiting. 
Waiting the penitent child to receive ; 

Plead with them earnestly, 

Plead with them gently ; 
He will forgive if they only believe. 

Down in the human heart, 

Crushed by the tempter, 
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore ; 

Touched by a loving heart. 

Wakened by kindness. 
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more. 



HYMNS. 161 

Rescue the perishing ; 

Duty demands it ; 
Streng h for thy labor the Lord will provide ; 

Back to the narrow way 

Patiently win them ; 
Tell the poor wanderer a Saviour has died. 
1869. 



TWILL NOT BE LONG. 

'Twill not be long, our journey here ; 
Each broken sigh and falling tear 
Will soon be gone, and all will be 
A cloudless sky, a waveless sea. 

'Twill not be long ; the yearning heart 
May feel its every hope depart. 
And grief be mingled with its song; 
We'll meet again ; 'twill not be long. 

Though sad we mark the closing eye 
Of those we loved in days gone by. 
Yet sweet in death their latest song — 
We'll meet again ; 'twill not be long. 

These checkered wilds, with thorns o'erspread. 
Through which our way so oft is led — 
This march of time, with truth so strong. 
Will end in bliss ; 'twill not be long. 
1868. 



162 BELLS AT EVENING. 



STRIKE THE HARP OF ZION. 

Strike the harp of Zion, wake the tuneful lay, 
Bear the joyful tidings far away ; 
Lo ! the morn is breaking, morn of purest love ; 
Praise forever, praise to God above. 

Chorus : 

Glory ! glory ! hark ! the angels sing ; 
Glory ! glory ! hear the echo ring ; 
Strike the harp of Zion, wake the tuneful lay, 
Bear the joyful tidings far away. 

Over distant regions veiled in error's night, 
See the holy dawn of Gospel light ; 
See the nations coming at the Saviour's call. 
Coming now to crown Him Lord of all. 

O the joyful story, life to every soul ! 
Like a mighty ocean let it roll, 
Bringing home the lost ones from the path of sin, 
Till the world shall all be gathered in. 
1869. 



HYMNS. 163 



HOLY IS THE LORD. 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord ! 

Sing, O ye people, gladly adore Him ; 
Let the mountains tremble at His word, 

Let the hills be joyful before Him ; 
Mighty in wisdom, boundless in mercy. 

Great is Jehovah, King over all. 

Chorus : 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord ! 

Let the hills be joyful before Him. 

Praise Him, praise Him, shout aloud for joy ! 

Watchman of Zion, herald the story; 
Sin and death His kingdom shall destroy ; 

All the earth shall sing of His glory ; 
Praise Him, ye angels, ye who behold Him 

Robed in His splendor, matchless, divine. 

King eternal, blessed be His name ! 

So may His children gladly adore Him, 
When in heaven we join the happy strain. 

When we cast our bright crowns before Him ; 
There in His likeness joyful awaking, 

There we shall see Him, there we shall sing. 
1869. 



164 BELLS AT EVENING. 



KEEP THOU MY WAY, O LORD. 

Keep thou my way, O Lord ; 

Myself I cannot guide ; 
Nor dare I trust my erring steps 

One moment from Thy side ; 
I cannot think aright, 

Unless inspired by Thee ; 
My heart would faint without Thy aid ; 

Choose Thou my thoughts for me. 

For every act of faith. 

And every pure design, — 
For all of good my soul can know. 

The glory. Lord, be Thine ; 
Free grace my pardon seals, 

Thro' Thy atoning blood ; 
Free grace the full assurance brings 

Of peace with Thee, my God. 

O speak, and I will hear ; 

Command, and I obey ; 
My willing feet with joy will haste 

To run the heavenly way ; 
Keep Thou my wandering heart. 

And bid it cease to roam ; 
O bear me safe o'er death's cold wave 

To heaven, my blissful home. 
1869. 



1869. 



HYMNS. 165 



SING ALWAYS. 

Sing with a tuneful spirit, 

Sing witli a cheerful lay, 
Praise to thy great Creator, 

While on the pilgrim way. 
Sing when the birds are waking, 

Sing with the morning light ; 
Sing in the noontide's golden beam. 

Sing in the hush of night. 

Sing when the heart is troubled, 

Sing when the hours are long, 
Sing when the storm-cloud gathers ; 

Sweet is the voice of song. 
Sing when the sky is darkest, 

Sing when the thunders roll ; 
Sing of the land where rest remains, 

Rest for the weary soul. 

Sing in the vale of shadows. 

Sing in the hour of death. 
And, when the eyes are closing, 

Sing with the latest breath. 
Sing till the heart's deep longings 

Cease on the other shore ; 
Then, with the countless numbers there, 

Sing on for evermore. 



166 BELLS AT EVENING. 



TO JESUS I WILL GO. 

There's a gentle voice within calls away, 
' Tis a warning I have heard o'er and o'er ; 

But my heart is melted now ; I obey ; 

From my Saviour I will wander no more. 

Chorus : 

Yes, I will go ; yes, I will go ; 
To Jesus I will go and be saved. 

He has promised all my sins to forgive, 
If I ask in simple faith for His love ; 

In His holy word I learn how to live. 
And to labor for His kingdom above. 

I will try to bear the cross in my youth. 
And be faithful to its cause till I die ; 

If with cheerful step I walk in the truth, 
I shall wear a starry crown by and by. 

Still the gentle voice within calls away, 

And its warning I have heard o'er and o'er ; 

But my heart is melted now ; I obey ; 
From my Saviour I will wander no more. 
1869. 



i87] 



HYMNS. 167 



GREAT IS JEHOVAH. 

Great is Jehovah, King of kings ; 

O magnify His name ; 
Praise Him, ye nations of the earth, 

His mighty works proclaim ; 
When darkness hovered o'er the deep. 

And ail was veiled in night. 
At His command, in beauty smiled 

A morn of purest light. 

Great is Jehovah, King of kings ; 

The stars together sang ; 
Sweetly the new created earth 

In joyful concert rang; 
But O, our souls ! in wonder lost, 

Behold, by faith sublime, 
In man's redemption from the fall 

God's greatest wisdom shine. 

Glory to Him whose boundless love 

The debt of sin has paid ; 
Glory to Him whose precious blood 

Our sacrifice was made ; 
With Him we die, through Him we rise; 

To Him all praise be given. 
Who lives, exalted and adored 

By all the hosts of heaven. 



168 BELLS AT EVENING. 



THE BRIGHT FOREVER. 

Breaking through the clouds that gather 

O'er the Christian's natal skies, 
Distant beams, like floods of glory, 

Fill the soul with glad surprise ; 
And we almost hear the echo 

Of the pure and holy throng, 
In the bright, the bright forever, 

In the summer-land of song. 

Chorus : 

On the banks beyond the river. 

We shall meet, no more to sever, 
In the bright, the bright forever, 

In the summer-land of song. 

Yet a little while we linger. 

Ere we reach our journey's end ; 
Yet a little while of labor. 

Ere the evening shades descend ; 
Then we'll lay us down to slumber, 

But the night will soon be o'er; 
In the bright, the bright forever. 

We shall slumber nevermore. 

O the bliss of life eternal ! 

O the long, unbroken rest 
In the golden fields of pleasure, 

In the region of the blest ! 



i87i. 



HYMNS. 169 

But to see our dear Redeemer, 
And before His throne to fall. 

There to hear His gracious welcome, 
Will be sweeter far than all. 



NEAR THE CROSS. 

Jesus, keep me near the Cross ; 

There a precious fountain. 
Free to all, a healing stream, 

Flows from Calvary's mountain. 
Chorus : 

In the Cross, in the Cross, 

Be my glory ever. 
Till my raptured soul shall find 

Rest beyond the river. 

Near the Cross, a trembling soul. 
Love and mercy found me ; 

There the Bright and Morning Star 
Shed its beams around me. 

Near the Cross ! O Lamb of God, 
Bring its scenes before me ; 

Help me walk from day to day, 
With its shadow o'er me. 

Near the Cross I'll watch and wait. 

Hoping, trusting ever. 
Till I reach the golden strand, 
-.f-Q Just beyond the river. 



170 BELLS AT EVENING. 



BLESSED ASSURANCE. 

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine ! 

what a foretaste of glory divine ! 
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, 
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood ! 

Chorus : 

This is my story, this is my song, 
Praising my Saviour all the day long. 

Perfect submission, perfect delight. 
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight ; 
Angels descending bring from above 
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. 

Perfect submission, all is at rest, 

1 in my Saviour am happy and blest, — 
Watching and waiting, looking above. 
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. 

1873. 



i873. 



HYMNS. 171 



ONLY A STEP TO JESUS. 

Only a step to Jesus ! 

Then why not take it now ? 
Come, and, thy sin confessing, 

To Him, thy Saviour, bow. 

Refrain : 

Only a step, only a step ; 

Come, He waits for thee ; 
Come, and, thy sin confessing, 

Thou shalt receive a blessing 
Do not reject the mercy 

He freely offers thee. 

Only a step to Jesus ! 

Believe, and thou shalt live ; 
Lovingly now He is waiting. 

And ready to forgive. 

Only a step to Jesus ! 

A step from sin to grace ; 
What has thy heart decided ? 

The moments fly apace. 

Only a step to Jesus ! 

why not come and say. 
Gladly to Thee, my Saviour, 

1 give myself away? 



172 BELLS AT EVENING. 



GOD OF ETERNITY. 

God of eternity, Author of time, 

Giver and Source of life, Ruler sublime, — 

Thou uncreated Lord, Ancient of Days, 
Glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, — 

Chorus : 

High over all Thy works, blest evermore, 
God of the universe, Thee we adore. 

Wondrous in majesty, wisdom and might, 
Lo ! 'twas Thy voice that said, " Let there be 
light ; " 
Vast realms and numberless. Lord, are Thy 
own ; 
Nations and sceptered kings bow at Thy 
throne. 

Thine is a perfect law. Thy word is pure ; 
Righteous are all Thy ways. Thy judgments 
sure; 
Mercy and truth abide ever with Thee ; 
Love like a river flows, deep as the sea. 
1873. 



HYMNS. 173 



NEARER THE CROSS. 

" Nearer the cross ! " my heart can say, 

I am coming nearer ; 
Nearer the cross from day to day, 

I am coming nearer ; 
Nearer the cross where Jesus died, 
Nearer the fountain's crimson tide. 
Nearer my Saviour's wounded side, 

I am coming nearer. 

Nearer the Christian's mercy seat, 

I am coming nearer ; 
Feasting my soul on manna sweet, 

I am coming nearer ; 
Stronger in faith, more clear I see 
Jesus who gave Himself for me ; 
Nearer to Him I still would be ; 

Still I'm coming nearer. 

Nearer in prayer my hope aspires, 

I am coming nearer ; 
Deeper the love my soul desires, 

I am coming nearer; 
Nearer the end of toil and care. 
Nearer the joy I long to share, 
Nearer the crown I soon shall wear, 

I am coming nearer. 
1873. 



174 HYMNS. 



HOLD THOU MY HAND. 

Hold Thou my hand ; so weak I am, and helpless, 
I dare not take one step without Thy aid ; 

Hold Thou my hand ; for then, O loving Saviour, 
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid. 

Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me 
To Thy dear self — my hope, my joy, my all ; 

Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander, 
And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should 
fall. 

Hold Thou my hand ; the way is dark before me 
Without the sunlight of Thy face divine ; 

But when by faith I catch its radiant glory. 
What heights of joy, what rapturous songs, are 
mine ! 

Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the mar- 
gin 

Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me, 
A heavenly light may flash along its waters, 

And every wave like crystal bright shall be. 
1874. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 175 



CLOSE TO THEE. 

Thou, my everlasting portion, 
More than friend or life to me, 

All along my pilgrim journey, 
Saviour, let me walk with Thee. 

Close to Thee, close to Thee ; 

All along my pilgrim journey. 
Saviour, let me walk with Thee. 

Not for ease or worldly pleasure. 
Nor for fame, my prayer shall be ; 

Gladly will I toil and suffer, 
Only let me walk with Thee. 

Close to Thee, close to Thee ; 
Gladly will I toil and suffer. 
Only let me walk with Thee. 

Lead me through the vale of shadows, 
Bear me o'er life's fitful sea ; 

Then the gate of life eternal 
May I enter, Lord, with Thee. 

Close to Thee, close to Thee ; 
Then the gate of life eternal 
May I enter, Lord, with Thee. 
1874. 



176 HYMNS. 



EVERY DAY AND HOUR. 

Saviour, more than life to me, 
I am clinging close to Thee ; 
Let Thy precious blood applied 
Keep me ever near Thy side. 

Chorus : 

Every day, every hour, 
Let me feel Thy cleansing power ; 
May Thy tender love to me 
Bind me closer. Lord, to Thee, 

Through this changing world below, 
Lead me gently as I go ; 
Trusting Thee, I cannot stray, 
I can never lose my way. 

Let me love Thee more and more. 
Till this fleeting life is o'er ; 
Till my soul is lost in love, 
In a brighter world above. 
874. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 177 



LIKE THE SOUND OF MANY WATERS. 

Like the sound of many waters 
Rolling on through ages long, 

In a tide of rapture breaking, — 
Hark ! the mighty choral song ! 

Chorus : 

Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 

Let the heavenly portals ring; 
Christ is born, the Prince of glory, 

Christ the Lord, our mighty King. 

Lo, the Morning Star appeareth. 
O'er the world His beams are cast; 

He the Alpha and Omega, 
He the Great, the First, the Last. 

Clap your hands with exultation ; 

Sing aloud, rejoice with mirth ; 
Peace her silver wings hath folded, — 

Lo, she comes to dwell on earth. 

Saviour, not with costly treasure 
Do we gather at Thy throne ; 

All we have, our hearts, we give Thee, — 
Consecrate them Thine alone. 
1874. 



178 HYMNS. 



SHOUT ALOUD, ALL YE LANDS. 

Across the blue waters the message of grace 
O'er kingdom and empire is flying apace ; 
The day-beam is breaking, majestic and bright, 
And millions are turning from darkness to light. 

Chorus : 
Shout aloud, all ye lands, and be glad while ye sing ; 
Shout aloud, all ye lands, for the Saviour is King ! 
And the sound that went forth on the night of 

His birth 
Shall be heard to the uttermost bounds of the 

earth. 

All creatures adoring shall bow at His word, 
All tongues shall confess Him their Saviour and 

Lord ; 
His truth and its glory extended shall be, 
And cover the earth as the waters the sea. 

How gently and kindly there comes from above 
His scepter of mercy. His standard of love ! 
He ruleth in wisdom, the Monarch of peace, 
His reign shall be glorious, and never shall cease. 

The day is approaching, the time draweth nigh. 
When nation to nation " Hosanna! " shall cry ; 
The idols they worship in dust shall be laid, 
And Jesus be honored, exalted, obeyed. 
1875. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 179 



NEVER SHONE A LIGHT SO FAIR. 

Never shone a light so fair, 
Never fell so sweet a song, 
As the chorus in the air 

Chanted by the angel-throng ; 
Every star took up the story : 
Christ has come, the Prince of glory, 
Come in humble hearts to dwell, 
God with us, Immanuel. 

Still that jubilee of song 
Breaks upon the rising morn ; 

While the anthem rolls along, 
Floods of light the earth adorn ; 

Old and young take up the story : 

Christ has come, etc. 

Welcome now the blessed day 

When we praise the Lord our King ; 

When we meet to praise and pray, 
And His love with gladness sing ; 

Let the world take up the story : 

Christ has come, etc. 
1875- 



180 HYMNS. 



I AM THINE, O LORD. 

I AM Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, 

And it told Thy love to me ; 
But I long to rise in the arms of faith. 

And be closer drawn to Thee. 

Chorus : 
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, 
To the cross where Thou hast died ; 
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, 
To Thy precious bleeding side. 

Consecrate me now to Thy service. Lord, 

By the power of grace divine ; 
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope. 

And my will be lost in Thine. 

O the pure delight of a single hour 

That before Thy throne I spend. 
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, 

I commune as friend with friend ! 

There are depths of love that I cannot know 

Till I cross the narrow sea, 
There are heights of joy that I may not reach 

Till I rest in peace with Thee. 
1875. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 181 



ALL THE WAY. 

All the way my Saviour leads me ; 

What have I to ask beside ? 
Can I doubt His tender mercy. 

Who through life has been my guide ? 
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, 

Here by faith in Him to dwell ! 
For I know, whate'er befall me, 

Jesus doeth all things well. 

All the way my Saviour leads me, 

Cheers each winding path I tread ; 
Gives me grace for every trial. 

Feeds me with the living bread ; 
Though my weary steps may falter. 

And my soul athirst may be. 
Gushing from the Rock before me, 

Lo, a spring of joy I see. 

All the way my Saviour leads me ; 

O the fullness of His love ! 
Perfect rest to me is promised 

In my Father's house above ; 
When my spirit, clothed, immortal. 

Wings its flight to realms of day. 
This my song through endless ages — 

Jesus led me all the way. 
1875. 



182 HYMNS. 



SO NEAR TO THE KINGDOM. 

So near to the kingdom ! yet what dost thou lack ? 
So near to the kingdom ! what keepeth thee back ? 
Renounce every idol, though dear it may be, 
And come to the Saviour now pleading with thee. 

Refrain : 

Pleading with thee. 

The Saviour is pleading with thee. 

So near that thou hearest the songs that resound 
From those who, believing, a pardon have found • 
So near, yet unwilling to give up thy sin, 
When Jesus is waiting to welcome thee in ! 

O come, or thy season of grace will be past, 
The door will be closed, and this call be thy last ; 
O where wouldst thou turn if the light should 

depart 
That comes from the Spirit, and shines on thy 

heart ? 

To die with no hope ! hast thou counted the 

cost ? 
To die out of Christ, and thy soul to be lost ! 
So near to the kingdom ! O come, we implore. 
While Jesus is pleading, come enter the door. 
1875. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 183 



HIDE THOU ME. 

In Thy cleft, O Rock of Ages, 

Hide Thou me ; 
When the fitful tempest rages, 

Hide Thou me ; 
Where no mortal arm can sever 
From my heart Thy love forever, 
Hide me, O thou Rock of Ages, 

Safe in Thee. 

From the snare of sinful pleasure, 

Hide Thou me ; 
Thou, my soul's eternal treasure, 

Hide Thou me ; 
When the world its power is wielding. 
And my heart is almost yielding, 
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, 

Safe in Thee. 

In the lonely night of sorrow, 

Hide Thou me ; 
Till in glory dawns the morrow, 

Hide Thou me ; 
In the sight of Jordan's billow. 
Let Thy bosom be my pillow ; 
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, 

Safe in Thee. 



1876. 



184 HYMNS. 



BY AND BY. 

By and by, when the reapers come, 
And we hear the song of the harvest home, 
'Twill be sweet to think of our labor done, 
Of the golden sheaves in the setting sun. 

Refrain : 

By and by, when the angel reapers come. 
We shall join the song of the harvest home ; 
O by and by, when the angel reapers come, 
We shall join the song of the harvest home. 

By and by, when at home we meet. 

When we cast our sheaves at the Master's feet, 

In the land of rest 'twill be joy to know 

It was not in vain that we toiled below. 

By and by, if we watch and wait, 
We shall enter in at the pearly gate ; 
We shall sit us down with our friends above, 
'Mid the songs of joy in a feast of love. 
1876. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 185 



BLESSED HOME-LAND. 

Gliding o'er life's fitful waters, 
Heavy surges sometimes roll ; 

And we sigh for yonder haven, 
For the home-land of the soul. 

Refrain : 

Blessed home-land, ever fair ! 
Sin can never enter there ; 
But the soul, to life awaking. 
Everlasting bloom shall wear. 

Oft we catch a faint reflection 
Of its bright and vernal hills ; 

And, though distant, how we hail it ! 
How each heart with rapture thrills ! 

To our Father, and our Saviour, 
To the Spirit, Three in One, 

We shall sing glad songs of triumph 
When our harvest work is done. 

'Tis the weary pilgrim's home-land. 

Where each throbbing care shall cease, 
And our longings and our yearnings. 
Like the waves, be hushed to peace. 
[877. 



186 HYMNS. 



THIS I KNOW. 

Lord, my trust I repose in Thee ; 

how great is Thy love to me ! 
Thou the strength of my life shalt be ; 

This I know, this I know. 

Refrain : 

Thine, Thine, and only Thine, 
Now and ever Thine ; 
Thou dost love me, Saviour mine ; 
This I know, this I know. 

Thou dost lead with a sweet command. 
Thou dost lead with a gentle hand ; 
On the rock of Thy truth I stand ; 
This I know, this I know. 

1 shall rise to a world of light, 

I shall rest in a mansion bright ; 
Then my faith shall be lost in sight ; 
This I know, this I know. 
1877. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 187 



LEARN OF THE MEEK AND LOWLY. 

Come, learn of the meek and lowly ; 

Come, sit at the Master's feet ; 
No place in the world so holy, 

No place in the world so sweet ; 
His lessons are plain and simple, 

A balm to the wounded breast ; 
He maketh our burden lighter. 

And giveth His children rest. 

O if we were more like Jesus, 

And more from the world apart, 
Communing with Him in spirit, 

And nearer to Him in heart, — 
We should not complain so sadly 

When trouble and care we meet, 
But carry at once our sorrows. 

And lay them at Jesus' feet. 

He wept o'er the holy city. 

He wept o'er a loved one dead ; 
He knoweth our every trial, 

And seeth the tears we shed ; 
O live that our souls may enter 

His kingdom with joy complete ; 
And there, thro' eternal ages. 

We'll sit at the Master's feet, 
1877. 



1B8 HYMNS. 



PARTING HYMN. 

Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee, 
Grant Thy blessing ere we part ; 

Take us in Thy care and keeping, 
Guard from evil every heart. 

Chorus : 

Bless the words we here have spoken, 

Offered prayer and cheerful strain ; 
If Thy will, O Lord, we pray Thee, 

Grant we all may meet again. 

Loving Saviour, go Thou with us. 
Be our comfort and our stay ; 

Grateful praise to Thee we render 
For the joy we feel to-day. 

Holy Spirit, dwell within us, 
May our souls Thy temple be ; 

May we tread the path to glory, 
Led and guided still by Thee. 

Heavenly Father, loving Saviour, 

Holy Spirit, Three in One, 
As among Thy saints and angels. 

So on earth, Thy will be done. 
1878. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 189 



'TIS THE BLESSED HOUR OF PRAYER. 

'TiS the blessed hour of prayer, when our 

hearts lowly bend, 
And we gather to Jesus, our Saviour and Friend ; 
If we come to Him in faith. His protection to share, 
What a balm for the weary ! O how sweet to be 

there ! 

Chorus : 
Blessed hour of prayer, blessed hour of prayer ! 
"^Vhat a balm for the weary ! O how sweet to be 
there ! 

' Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when the Sav- 
iour draws near. 

With a tender compassion His children to hear ; 

When He tells us we may cast at His feet every 
care, 

What a balm for the weary ! O how sweet to be 
there ! 

'Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when the tempted 
and tried 

To the Saviour who loves them their sorrow con- 
fide; 

With a sympathizing heart He removes every care ; 

What a balm for the weary ! O how sweet to be 
there ! 

1880. 



90 HYMNS. 



WEARY WANDERER, STOP AND 
LISTEN. 

Weary wanderer, stop and listen ; 

Happy news we bring to thee ; 
Jesus has prepared a banquet ; 

Come, and welcome thou shalt be. 

Chorus : 

Make no longer vain excuses ; 

Jesus calls, and calls thee now ; 
Come, for everything is ready ; 
Weary soul, why waitest thou ? 

Are thy sins a heavy burden ? 

Come to God ; confess them now ; 
He is willing to forgive thee ; 

Ask, receive ; why waitest thou ? 

On the loving arm of Jesus 

Wouldst thou lean, and trust Him now? 
Let Him cleanse thee at the fountain ; 

Come at once ; why waitest thou ? 

See the beauteous wedding garment ; 

In His hands He holds it now ; 
Haste, O haste thee to the banquet ; 

Enter in ; why waitest thou ? 
1880. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 191 



I KNOW THERE'S A REST. 

I KNOW there's a rest that remaineth for me, 

A rest when my journey is o'er ; 
I know that the ransomed in bliss 1 shall see, 

And labor and sorrow no more. 

Chorus: 
Then onward I'll go, and with courage I'll tread 

The path my Redeemer has trod, 
Since He hath declared there remaineth a rest, 

A rest for the people of God. 

I know there's a rest that remaineth for me, 

A rest with my Saviour above, 
Where, clothed in His image, His face I shall see, 

And feast on the smile of His love. 

I know there's a rest that remaineth for me ; 

I'll patiently wait till it come, — 
Till angels shall bear me away on their wings. 

And Jesus shall welcome me home. 
1881. 



192 BELLS AT EVENING. 



A FEW MORE MARCHINGS. 

A FEW more marchings weary. 

Then we'll gather home ; 
A few more storm-clouds dreary, 

Then we'll gather home ; 
A few more days the cross to bear, 
And then with Christ a crown to wear ; 
A few more marchings weary, 

Then we'll gather home. 

Refrain : 

O'er time's rapid river. 
Soon we'll rest forever ; 
No more marchings weary 
When we gather home. 

A few more nights of weeping, 

Then we'll gather home ; 
A few more watches keeping. 

Then we'll gather home; 
A few more victories over sin, 
A few more sheaves to gather in, 
A few more marchings weary, 

Then we'll gather home. 

A few more sweet links broken, 

Then we'll gather home ; 
A few more kind words spoken, 

Then we'll gather home ; 



[882. 



HYMNS. 193 

A few more partings on the strand. 
And then away to Canaan's land ; 
A few more marchings weary, 
Then we'll gather home. 



NOT ALWAY. 

Not alway where the quiet waters flow 

My Saviour leads, 
Nor wher'; the sunlight falls with tender glow 

O'er < »vy meads; 
I follow vhere He will my path should be, 
Content o know but this : He leadeth me. 

He from my cradle watched my infant years, 

And chose my way ; 
O how His wisdom in my life appears 

From day to day ! 

Though oft my journey leads through shadows 
deep, 

I fear no ill ; 
For, lo. He gives His angels charge to keep 

And guard me still. 

Sometimes I falter, and the way seems long 

To yonder land ; 
But in His strength made perfect I am strong ; 

He holds my hand. 
i8— . 



194 HYMNS. 

WELLS OF ELIM. 

Cool from the wells of Elim, 

Softly the waters bright, 
Under the waving palm trees, 

Smiled in the peaceful light ; 
There were the tents so goodly, 

There was a nation strong, 
Resting awhile by Elim's wells, 
Praising the Lord in song. 
Chorus : 

O how a soul in Jesus 

Loves of a stream to tell. 
One that shall flow forever on. 
Drawn from the living well ! 

Out from the rock of Horeb, 

Smote by a wondrous rod, 
Quickly the gushing waters 

Came at the voice of God ; 
They who athirst were pining, 

They who rebelled before. 
Now, with delight and wonder filled. 

Drank, and were glad once more. 

Purer than wells of Elim 

Under the palm trees fair. 
Sweeter than Horeb's waters 

Hailed by the fainting there, — 
Lo, at the feet of mercy. 

Fresh from the springs above, 
Jesus the living water gives. 

Bought with redeeming love, 
1883. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 195 



O CHILD OF GOD, WAIT PATIENTLY. 

O CHILD of God, wait patiently 

When dark thy path may be, 
And let thy faith lean trustingly 

On Him who cares for thee ; 
And though the clouds hang drearily 

Upon the brow of night, 
Yet in the morning joy will come, 

And fill thy soul with light. 

O child of God, He loveth thee. 

And thou art all His own ; 
With gentle hand He leadeth thee ; 

Thou dost not walk alone ; 
And though thou watchest wearily 

The long and stormy night. 
Yet in the morning joy will come. 

And fill thy soul with light. 

O child of God, how peacefully 

He calms thy fears to rest. 
And draws thee upward tenderly, 

Where dwell the pure and blest ! 
And He who bendeth silently 

Above the gloom of night. 
Will take thee home where endless joy 

Shall fill thy soul with light. 
1886. 



196 BELLS AT EVENING. 



WHAT A GATHERING. 

On that bright and golden morning, when the 
Son of man shall come, 
And the radiance of His glory we shall see ; 
When from every clime and nation He shall call 
His people home, — 
What a gathering of the ransomed that will be ! 

Chorus : 
What a gathering, what a gathering, 

What a gathering of the ransomed in the 
summer land of love ! 
What a gathering, what a gathering 

Of the ransomed in that happy home above ! 

When the blest who sleep in Jesus, at His bid- 
ding shall arise 
From the silence of the grave and from the sea, 
And with bodies all celestial they shall meet Him 
in the skies, 
What a gathering and rejoicing there will be ! 

When our eyes behold the city, with its many 

mansions bright. 

And its river, calm and restful, flowing free ; 

When the friends that death has parted shall in 

bliss again unite, — 

What a gathering and a greeting there will be ! 



HYMNS. 197 

O the King is surely coming, and the time is 
drawing nigh 
When the blessed day of promise we shall see ; 

Then the changing " in a moment," " in the twin- 
kling of an eye," 

And forever in his presence we shall be. 

1887. 



'TIS ONLY A LITTLE WAY. 

'Tis only a little way on to my home. 
And there in its sunshine forever I'll roam ; 
While all the day long I journey with song, 
O beautiful Eden-land, thou art my home. 

Refrain : 

'Tis only a little way, only a little way, 
'Tis only a little way on to my home. 

'Tis only a little way farther to go. 

O'er mountain and valley where dark waters flow ; 

My Saviour is near with blessings to cheer ; 

His word is my guiding star — why should I fear ? 

'Tis only a little way ; there I shall see 
The friends that in glory are waiting for me ; 
Their voices from home now float on the air — 
They're calling me tenderly, calling me there. 
1886. 



198 BELLS AT EVENING. 



EARLY MORN. 

At early morn, with trembling step, 

A faithful band drew near. 
And stood at last beside the grave 

Of Him they loved so dear. 

Chorus : 

He lives again ! He lives again ! 

Rang out o'er all that sunlit plain ; 
The Lamb of God, for sinners slain. 

Has conquered death, and lives again. 

And as the rosy, blushing light 

Shot forth its brilliant rays, 
Their fears were gone, their night was o'er, 

And grief was lost in praise. 

To-day our hearts, with rapture filled. 

The hallowed strains repeat. 
And haste, within the house of prayer, 

Our risen Lord to meet. 



HYMNS. 199 



JESUS IS CALLING. 

Out on the mountain, sad and forsaken, 
Lost in its mazes, no light canst thou see ; 

Yet in His mercy, full of compassion, 

Lo, the Good Shepherd is calling to thee. 

Chorus : 

Calling to thee, calling to thee, 

Jesus is calling, " Come unto me ; " 

Calling to thee, calling to thee. 

Hear the Good Shepherd calling to thee. 

Far on the mountain, why wilt thou wander? 

Deeper in darkness thy pathway will be ; 
Turn from thy roaming, fly from its dangers. 

While the Good Shepherd is calling to thee. 

Flee from thy bondage ; Jesus will help thee ; 

Only believe Him, and thou shalt be free ; 
Wonderful mercy ! boundless compassion ! 
Still the Good Shepherd is calling to thee. 
1890. 



200 BELLS AT EVENING. 



ENDURE TO THE END. 

We cannot fold our hands at ease. 

And look for heaven at last ; 
We cannot shout the victory won 

Until the war is past. 

Chorus : 

Blessed are they that endure to the end, 

For with them it shall be well ; 
They shall eat of the fruit of the tree of life, 

And with Jesus forever dwell. 

We cannot hope to win the prize, 

Unless the race we run ; 
Nor reap the fruits of endless joy 

If we no work have done. 

We cannot slumber at our post. 

Nor lay our armor down ; 
And only they who bear the cross 

Can ever wear the crown. 

Then let the cross be all our boast, 

And Jesus all our song, 
Till in His robe of righteousness 
We join the ransomed throng. 
1890. 



HYMNS. 201 



SAVED BY GRACE. 

Some day the silver cord will break, 
And I no more as now shall sing ; 

But, O the joy when I shall wake 
Within the palace of the King ! 

Chorus : 

And I shall see Him face to face. 
And tell the story — Saved by Grace, 

Some day my earthly house will fall ; 

I cannot tell how soon 'twill be ; 
But this I know — my All in All 

Has now a place in heaven for me. 

Some day, when fades the golden sun 

Beneath the rosy-tinted west. 
My blessed Lord will say, " Well done ! " 

And I shall enter into rest. 

Some day, — till then I'll watch and wait, 
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright, 

That when my Saviour opes the gate. 
My soul to Him may wing its flight. 
1891. 



202 BELLS AT EVENING. 



MY SAVIOUR FIRST OF ALL. 

When my lifework is ended, and I cross the 
swelling tide, 
When the bright and glorious morning I shall 
see, 
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other 
side, 
And His smile will be the first to welcome me. 

Chorus : 

I shall know Him, I shall know Him, 

And alone by His side I shall stand ; 
I shall know Him, I shall know Him, 
By the print of the nails in His hand. 

O the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His 
blessed face. 
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye ! 
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, 
love, and grace. 
That prepares for me a mansion in the sky ! 

O the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to 
come ! 
And our parting at the river I recall ; 
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my wel- 
come home ; 
But 1 long to meet my Saviour first of all. 



HYMNS. 203 

Through the gates to the city, in a robe of spot- 
less white, 
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall ; 

In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with de- 
light ; 

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all. 

1891. 



OUR CHEERFUL SABBATH HOME. 

How sweet the chiming Sabbath bells ! 

We love the welcome sound ; 
And haste, with glad and willing heart. 

Where purest joys are found. 

From Christian friends and teachers there, 

We learn the heavenly way 
That leads to Him who kindly gave 

This holy, happy day. 

We sing our Saviour's wondrous love. 

And all His tender care ; 
We sing of joy beyond the sky. 

In mansions bright and fair. 

The angels, robed in purest white. 

Surround the throne above ; 
And there our happy souls may join 

To sing redeeming love. 
1869. 



204 BELLS AT EVENING. 



OUT OF THE SHADOW, 

Out of the shadow into the light. 
Shining in glory transcendently bright ; 
Out of the gloaming into the day, 
Beaming in splendor that fades not away. 

Chorus : 

Out of the sighing, fading and dying. 
Into the perfect, lovely and bright ; 
Out of the darkness into the dawning, 
Out of the shadow into the light. 

Out of the shadow, lonely and drear. 
Into the future that knows not a fear ; 
Out of the conflict, weary and sore. 
Into the home-land of bliss evermore. 

Out of the shadow, voiceless and cold, 
Into the sunshine of rapture untold ; 
Out of the hoping into the blest, 
Out of the longing with Jesus at rest. 

Over the river soon we shall be. 
Over the river, dear Saviour, with Thee ; 
Out of the shadow into the light. 
Clothed in the garments Thy blood hath 
made white. 
1 891. 



I89I. 



HYMNS. 205 



GOOD NIGHT. 

O THE morning, happy morning, 

That will break on yonder shore, 
When the march of life is ended, 

And our harvest work is o'er ; 
When we stand amid the gloaming. 

And our hearts with joy are bright, 
While we say to those around us, 

With a loving smile. Good night ! 

O the morning, blissful morning, 

That from every care is free. 
And forever with our Saviour 

And Redeemer we shall be ; 
When the silver cord is broken. 

And our spirits wing their flight, 
Only pausing till our dear ones 

Catch the loving words, Good night ! 

O the morning, golden morning ! 

We shall see it by and by ; 
Faith beholds it in the distance. 

And its dawning draweth nigh ; 
Here we part, for time is fleeting, 

Ever fading from our sight. 
But in yonder happy morrow 

We shall never say Good night. 



206 BELLS AT EVENING- 



TRUST ON. 

Trust on ; is not the Saviour at thy side, 
In darkest hour thy faltering steps to guide ? 
Take thou the hand outreaching now to thee : 
He bids thee walk in faith ; so let it be. 

Trust on ; though thorns may thrust thy weary 

feet, 
Yet pain or bliss with Jesus will be sweet ; 
If thou believe, it shall be well with thee ; 
If He would test thy faith, so let it be. 

Trust on ; no trial can thy way befall 
But He, thy Lord and Saviour, knows it all ; 
And if, to make His love more pure in thee. 
Thou need'st His chastening rod, so let it be. 

Trust on ; as clouds of evening glide away, 
And leave the calm reflection of the day, 
Soon shall thy waiting eyes His glory see, 
And though through clouds it come, so let it be. 
1891. 



HYMNS. 207 



CHRIST THE SEAL OF DEATH HAS 
BROKEN. 

Christ the seal of death has broken, 
Forth He comes with power divine ; 

Heavenly guards behold Him rising, 
Heavenly glories round Him shine. 

At the tomb that cannot bind Him, 
Angels linger robed in white ; 

While the watchmen, pale and trembling. 
Fall in terror from the sight. 

Ye who bore the joyful tidings 
Of a Prince and Saviour born. 

Higher raise your song of triumph 
On the resurrection morn. 

Christ the seal of death has broken ; 

Let the world before Him fall; 
Lift your heads, ye saints, and hail Him, 

Hail the mighty Lord of all. 
1892. 



208 BELLS AT EVENING. 



TRUSTFULLY COME I TO THEE. 

Trustfully, trustfully 

Come I to Thee ; 
Jesus, Thou blessed One, 

Thine would I be ; 
Then shall I cheerfully, 

Truly and earnestly 
Walk in Thy spirit. 

Saviour, with Thee. 

Peacefully, peacefully 

Come I to Thee ; 
More of Thy presence, Lord, 

Grant Thou to me; 
Then shall I carefully, 

Watchfully, prayerfully, 
Walk in Thy spirit. 

Closer to Thee. 

Joyfully, joyfully 

Come I to Thee ; 
Thou art my loving Friend, 

Precious to me; 
O may I restfully, 

Calmly and lovingly 
Dwell in Thy spirit, 

Saviour, with Thee. 
1893. 



1894. 



HYMNS. 209 



BLESSED DAY. 

Blessed day, when pure devotions 
Rise to God on wings of love ; 

When we catch the distant music 
Of the angel choirs above. 

Blessed day, when bells are calling 
Weary souls from earthly care, 

And we come, with hearts uplifted, 
To the holy place of prayer. 

Blessed day, so calm and restful, 
Bringing joy and peace to all, 

Linger yet in tranquil beauty. 
Ere the shades of evening fall. 

Blessed day, thy light is fading ; 

One by one its beams depart; 
May their calm and sweet reflection 

Still abide in every heart. 



210 HYMNS. 



RESTING BY THE RIVER. 

When I'm resting by the river, in the beautiful 
forever. 
Light will seem the cares and crosses that ap- 
pear so heavy now ; 
Then I'll see that pathway lonely God marked out 
in kindness only, 
When I'm resting by the river, with life's crown 
upon my brow. 

When I'm resting by the river, where no sorrow 
cometh ever, 
I shall feel that earthly darkness made more 
welcome heaven's light ; 
I shall learn how each affliction brought a blessed 
benediction, 
When I'm resting by the river, in the land 
where falls no night. 

When I'm resting by the river, 'neath the healing 
trees that quiver 
In the sweet balm-laden breezes blown from 
hills of Paradise, 
I shall see with vision clearer loss made heaven's 
treasures dearer. 
When I'm resting by the river, in the home be- 
yond the skies. 



BELLS AT EVENING. 211 

When I'm resting by the river, where fond ties 
are broken never, 
I shall find that separation made reunion there 
more sweet ; 
Past for aye all tears and sighing, mine shall be a 
joy undying, 
When I'm resting by the river, where the happy 
saved ones meet. 
1894, 



212 BELLS AT EVENING. 



NEVER SAY GOOD-BYE. 

O BLESSED home where those who meet 

Shall never say Good-bye ; 
Where kindred souls each other greet, 

And never say Good-bye. 

Chorus : 

We'll never say Good-bye, 
We'll never say Good-bye ; 
In that fair land beyond the sky. 
We'll never say Good-bye. 

Beyond this vale of toil and care. 

We'll never say Good-bye ; 
We part in tears on earth, but there — 

We'll never say Good-bye. 

When safe among the ransomed throng. 
We'll never say Good-bye ; 

Where life is one eternal song, 
We'll never say Good-bye. 

On yonder fair and peaceful shore, 
We'll never say Good-bye ; 

But dwell with Christ for evermore, 
And never say Good-bye. 
1894. 



HYMNS. 213 



THY WILL BE DONE IN ME. 

Thou to whom, without reserve, 
My all I would resign, 

1 ask for grace and faith to say, 

"Thy will, O Lord, not mine ! " 
In joy or grief, in bliss or pain. 

This prayer shall rise to Thee, 
" Thy will, not mine, O blessed Lord, 

Thy will be done in me ! " 

Though thorns may pierce my weary feet, 

Yet would I ne'er repine. 
But meekly say, as Thou hast said, 

"Thy will, O Lord, not mine ! " 
And though I pass beneath Thy rod, 

Amen, so let it be ! 
Whate'er Thou wilt, O blessed Lord, 

I know is best for me. 

So would I live that I may feel 

Thy perfect peace divine. 
And still Thy pure example show 

In every act of mine ; 
And till I reach the silent vale. 

And cross the narrow sea. 
Be this my prayer, O blessed Lord, 

" Thy will be done in me ! " 
1895. 



214 BELLS AT EVENING. 



WHEN THE KING SHALL COME. 

O THE weary night is waning, 

And the clouds are rolling by ; 
See, the long-expected morning 

Now is dawning in the sky ; 
When from Zion's lofty mountain 

We shall hear the watchman cry. 
And rejoicing we shall gather 

When the King shall come. 

Chorus : 
O Zion ! O Zion ! Great will be thy triumph 

When the King shall come ; 
O Zion ! O Zion ! Thou shalt be exalted 

When the King shall come. 

When the ransomed of Jehovah, 

From the East and from the West, 
Shall return with joy and gladness, 

To receive the promised rest, — 
Then shall every tribe and nation 

Out of every land be blessed. 
And rejoicing they shall gather 

When the King shall come. 

May He find us, when He cometh, 
Faithful watchers day and night, 

At our royal post of duty, 
With our armor shining bright ; 



HYMNS. 215 

May our lamps be trimmed and burning 

With a clear and steady light. 
That rejoicing we may gather 
When the King shall come. 
1896. 



SECRET PRAYER. 

There is an hour of calm relief 
From every throbbing care ; 

'Tis when, before a throne of grace, 
I kneel in secret prayer. 

When one by one, like threads of gold, 
The hues of twilight fall, 

sweet communion with my God, 
My Saviour and my all ! 

1 hear seraphic tones that float 

Amid celestial air, 
And bathe my soul in streams of joy. 
Alone in secret prayer. 

O when the hour of death shall come, 

How sweet from thence to rise. 
With prayer on earth my latest breath, 
My watchword to the skies ! 
1873. 



216 BELLS AT EVENING. 



LOVING SAVIOUR, WITH THY 
BLESSING. 

Loving Saviour, with Thy blessing 

Thou hast filled our souls to-day; 
How the moments, bright with pleasure, 

Like a dream have flown away ! 
But to think that we must sever — 

How it wrings our hearts with pain ! 
Loving Saviour, in Thy mercy 

Spare us all to meet again. 

Mid these scenes of happy childhood, 

O 'tis sweet awhile to dwell ; 
But our joy is tinged with sadness. 

For we now must say. Farewell ; 
May the chain of Love and Friendship 

Long unbroken still remain ; 
Loving Saviour, in Thy mercy 

Spare us all to meet again. 

When our fleeting years are ended, 

And the day of life is o'er ; 
When our voices here are silent. 

And our songs are heard no more, — 
In the realm of kindred spirits, 

Free from every throb of pain, 
Loving Saviour, in Thy mercy 

Bring us all to meet again. 
1897. 



A SEEING HEART. 

By Frances Ridley Havergal. 
TO "FANNY CROSBY.'' 

Sweet blind singer over the sea, 

Tuneful and jubilant ! how can it be 

That the songs of gladness, which float so far, 

As if they fell from the evening star. 

Are the notes of one who never may see 

"Visible music " of flower and tree, 

Purple of mountain, or glitter of snow, 

Ruby and gold of the sunset glow. 

And never the light of a loving face ? 

Must not the world be a desolate place 

For eyes that are sealed with the seal of years, 

Eyes that are open only for tears ? 

How can she sing in the dark like this? 

What is her fountain of light and bliss ? 

O, her heart can see, her heart can see ! 
And its sight is strong, and swift and free ; 
Never the ken of mortal eye 
Could pierce so deep, and far, and high 
As the eagle vision of hearts that dwell 
In the lofty, sunlit citadel 
Of Faith that overcomes the world. 
With banners of Hope and Joy unfurled, 
Garrisoned with God's perfect Peace, 
Ringing with paeans that never cease, 
217 



218 BELL$ AT EVENING. 

Flooded with splendor bright and broad, 
The glorious light of the Love of God. 



Her heart can see, her heart can see ! 
Well may she sing so joyously ! 
For the King Himself, in His tender grace, 
Hath shown her the brightness of His face ; 
And who shall pine for a glow-worm light 
When the Sun goes forth in His radiant might ? 
She can read His law, as a shining chart. 
For His finger hath written it on her heart ; 
She can read His love, for on all her way 
His hand is writing it every day. 
" Bright cloud " indeed must that darkness be, 
Where " Jesus only " the heart can see. 



Her heart can see ! her heart can see, 
Beyond the glooms and the mystery, 
Glimpses of glory not far away, 
Nearing and brightening day by day ; 
Golden crystal and emerald bow. 
Luster of pearl and sapphire glow. 
Sparkling river and healing tree. 
Evergreen palms of victory. 
Harp and crown and raiment white. 
Holy and beautiful dwellers in light ; 
A throne, and One thereon, whose face 
Is the glory of that glorious place. 



TO FANNY CROSBY. 219 

Dear blind sister over the sea ! 
An English heart goes forth to thee. 
We are linked by a cable of faith and song, 
Flashing bright sympathy swift along ; 
One in the East and one in the West, 
Singing for Him whom our souls love best, 
" Singing for Jesus," telling His love 
All the way to our home above, 
Where the severing sea, with its restless tide, 
Never shall hinder, and never divide. 
Sister ! what will our meeting be, 
When our hearts shall sing and our eyes shall see ! 
May lo, 1872. 

Note. — Many sweet hymns by Fanny Crosbj' have become 
known, and are warmly appreciated, in England and Scotland. 
In answer to the inquiry, " Who is ' Fanny Crosby ? ' " the fol- 
lowing beautiful reply was received : " She is a blind lady whose 
heart can see splendidly in the sunshine of God's love." Hence 
the above greeting to a far-off fellow-minister of song. — From 
The Poetical Works of Frances Ridley Havergal, Authorized 
Edition. 



INDEX OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 5-22 

SECULAR POEMS 23-88 

American Hearts and Homes 40 

A Song 83 

A Tribute to Cincinnati 53 

Bells at Evening 23 

Bid Me Good Night 52 

Confidence 82 

Cora Bell 66 

Cora Lee :— A Christmas Story 48 

Do You Love Children ? 79 

Greeting to the Citizens of Bridgeport. 25 

Lucy's and Emma's Conquest 75 

Mamma's Lullaby 74 

Minnie's Birthday 33 

Nannette 35 

Only a Leaf 64 

Our Baby 67 

Poet's Corner 55 

Seeking for Violets 84 

Speak not Harshly 73 

Thanksgiving Day 42 

The Heart 71 

The Maiden and Her Canoe 32 

220 



INDEX OF CONTENTS. 



221 



SECULAR "POE.yiS— continued. pagb 

The Monarch and the Minstrel 58 

The Old Year 38 

The Raindrop 29 

The Soldier's Grave 61 

The Soldier's Reverie 69 

The Violet's Answer 31 

They are Gone 72 

To A Bird 37 

To Bessie 86 

Twilight 81 

Twilight Hour 72 

Voice of the Night Wind 38 

RELIGIOUS POEMS 89-128 

A Rhapsody 117 

Evening 120 

Grandpa's Blessing 114 

Hope On, Hope Ever 107 

Immortal Love 106 

Mother, Pray for Me 122 

No Tears in Heaven 109 

Ocean Grove 112 

Our Lord at the Grave of Lazarus 117 

Peace, Be Still 123 

Prayer 105 

Rest 108 

Retrospect no 

Samson with the Philistines 98 

The Baptism of our Lord 124 

The Child and the Angel 115 

The Dying Boy 128 



222 



BELLS AT EVENING. 



RELIGIOUS ^OF.US— continued. page 

The Meeting of Jacob and Joseph 93 

Trial of the Faith of Abraham 89 

Unseen iii 

We Know not what Thou Doest 127 

MISCELLANEOUS SONGS AND POEMS. .. 129-148 

Almost in Sight of the Harbor 148 

Grandma's Rocking-Chair 144 

Mother's Good-bye 136 

Rosalie, the Prairie Flower 132 

The Hazel Dell 130 

The Honeysuckle Glen 134 

The Singer and the Harp 142 

The White Sail 146 

There's Music in the Air 129 

Threescore Years and Ten , 138 

Under a Cloud 140 

HYMNS 149-216 

A Few More Marchings 192 

All the Way 181 

Blessed Assurance 170 

Blessed Day 209 

Blessed Homeland 185 

By and By 184 

Christ the Seal of Death has Broken. . . 207 

Close to Thee 175 

Closing Hymn 150 

Early Morn 198 

Endure to the End 200 

Every Day and Hour 176 

God OF Eternity 172 

Good Night 205 

Great is Jehovah 167 



INDEX OF CONTENTS. 223 

HYMNS— continued. page 

Hide Thou Me , 183 

Hold Thou My Hand 174 

Holy is the Lord 163 

I AM Thine, O Lord 180 

I Come to Thee 159 

I Know There's a Rest 191 

Jesus Dear, I Come to Thee 155 

Jesus is Calling 199 

Keep Thou My Way, O Lord 164 

Learn of the Meek and Lowly 187 

Let the Good Angels Come in 157 

Like the Sound of Many Waters 177 

Loving Saviour, with Thy Blessing 216 

More Like Jesus 154 

My Saviour First of All 202 

Near the Cross 169 

Nearer the Cross 173 

Never Say Good-bye 212 

Never Shone a Light so Fair 179 

Not Alway 193 

O Child of God, Wait Patiently 195 

Only a Step to Jesus 171 

Our Cheerful Sabbath Home 203 

Out of the Shadow 204 

Parting Hymn 188 

Pass Me Not 158 

Rescue the Perishing 160 

Resting by the River 210 

Safe in the Arms of Jesus 156 

Saved by Grace 201 

Secret Prayer 215 

Shout Aloud, All ye Lands 178 

Sing Always 165 

So Near to the Kingdom 182 



224 BELLS AT EVENING. 

HYMNS — continued. page 

Strike the Harp of Zion 162 

The Bright Forever 168 

The Prodigal's Return 152 

This I Know 186 

Thy Will Be Done in Me 213 

'Tis Only a Little Way 197 

'Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer 189 

To Jesus I will Go 166 

Trust On 206 

Trustfully Come I to Thee 208 

'Twill not be Long 161 

We are Going 149 

Weary Wanderer, Stop and Listen 190 

Wells of Elim 194 

What a Gathering 196 

When the King Shall Come 214 

Yes, There is Pardon for You 151 

A TRIBUTE TO F. J. CROSBY 217-219 

A Seeing Heart 217 



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